Introduction

You can never know at what point your memories will need to last a lifetime.

Hi, I’m Susan. I am the mother of two deceased sons. 

In 2015, my son Kevin died from multiple drug intoxication and in 2023, my son Matthew died by suicide after a decade-long battle with mental illness.

After years of grief work, I found the resources and tools needed to turn my grief journey into a healing journey. 

Today, I speak to audiences on navigating the grief and stigma after adult child loss to overdose and suicide. 

Mine is a big story with a big message. 

I plant seeds of hope so those grieving will know that even after unimaginable losses, we can move forward with our hearts full of hope, peace, and even joy.

For booking and more information please see my speaker sheet.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves

~Viktor Frankl

At some point, we will experience challenges in our personal life. The loss of a loved one ranks right at the top of life’s stressors. I was 48 when my son Kevin died unexpectedly. His death left me feeling broken beyond repair. When the toxicology report came back listing the cause of death as multiple drug intoxication I felt utterly alone. 

I remember wondering if my life was just going to be something to endure.

The stigma surrounding overdose was everywhere. Would my son only be remembered by how he died? If I did share that he had died, I would deliberately leave out the cause of death. About 98% of the time it would be met with “Oh my God, I am so sorry” with a brief pause before the questions, “What happened?” and “How did he die?” would start. These seemingly innocent questions would have me stumbling around trying to come up with a vague answer like “We aren’t really sure…” 

My inner dialogue was critical. How could I not know he had used opioids? I was his Mom, how could I have let this happen? At what point did I do the wrong thing? The shame I felt toward myself was as if I had made some fatal error as a parent. As a result, I kept his cause of death a secret for 2 years- from my parents, family, friends- everyone. And for two years, I was inadvertently feeding my shame with the 3 things it needed to flourish: judgment, silence, and secrecy.

Until it all imploded. 

That was the point I hit a crossroads. I could keep hiding (which was clearly not working for me) or I could start talking about it. I knew I couldn’t be the only one feeling like this. I started thinking maybe my story could be helpful to someone else. 

I wanted to shine a light on the stigma surrounding overdose to create understanding and empathy toward those grieving a stigmatized loss. I also wanted to spread hope in knowing that you can connect with your loved ones and that finding peace and purpose after loss is possible.

We must be active participants in our healing process.

In 2022, I decided to share it all in my memoir, Life After Kevin; A Mother’s Search for Peace and the Golden Retrievers that Led the Way. As I wrote the book, I kept you in mind with the sincere hope that you find peace along your own journey by walking along with me on mine.

I invite you to explore my site to learn more. To discuss speaking engagements, please reach out here.

Life After Kevin

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Download 10 Ways of Navigating Grief According to Life After Kevin

Watch the book trailer to see what Life After Kevin is all about:

Susan’s award-winning memoir is about the loss of her son to an accidental overdose and moving through grief with the loving support of her two Golden Retrievers.

“…You will cry with her, not only because her story is heartbreaking, but because you see yourself in her words…”

Life After Kevin is heartfelt, fascinating, well written, and easy to read. You will cry with her, not only because her story is heartbreaking, but because you see yourself in her words. She’s beautifully balanced the retelling of her own experiences while simultaneously inviting the reader to explore two topics not usually discussed in grief, the effects of stigma over how a person dies and how comfort can often be found in what we cannot explain with logic, such as signs from across the veil or the unconditional love from our dogs. You will love this book. Susan’s writing style is direct and honest and in the back of the book she’s included questions to help readers gain insight into their own experiences with grief, stigma, signs, and the relationship they have with the dogs in their lives. Read this book and learn from it. I did. –Jonathan C. Chase, American Kennel Club licensed judge

“…This beautiful and important book will help guide those lost in grief to a place of peace…”

Susan captures in intimate detail, the life, death, and precise after life communication from her beloved son Kevin. This beautiful and important book will help guide those lost in grief to a place of peace. Her courageous journey inspires readers to know they can make it through the fire. It is a MUST read. -Tina Powers, Medium and Author of Reporting For The Other Side

“…Susan also explores an essential topic in the book; the stigma and silence attached to a child’s transition by overdose, with grace and compassion…”

Susan Lynch’s new book, Life After Kevin: A Mother’s Search for Peace and the Golden Retrievers that Led the Way, is a poignant memoir about the tragic passing of her beautiful son Kevin. Through this book, Susan shows how the tenderhearted Goldens that she trains helped her move forward and heal. Susan also explores an essential topic in the book; the stigma and silence attached to a child’s transition by overdose, with grace and compassion. It is a joy to read about the interaction they share even 5 years after Kevin’s transition. Our kids in spirit are not gone. They are still right here and walk beside us, holding our hands and leading us towards healing. Thank you, Susan and Kevin, for this uplifting book that proves that love never dies. Elizabeth Boisson, President, and Co-Founder of Helping Parents Heal

THIS MEMOIR WILL MAKE YOU QUESTION


Grief & Spirituality

How do our loved ones in Spirit keep a connection with us?

What would a continued relationship with deceased loved ones look like?

How does the stigma around the way someone dies impact their loved ones?


Canine Companionship

What do our pets offer us in our darkest moments?

What lessons can be learned from beings who have no words at all?


Transformation & Self-Growth 

How can you find meaning in your life after suffering a tragic loss?  

What does healing after a loss look like?

“…From the opening passages, Susan grabs our attention, hangs on to it tightly, and never lets go, taking us along on an emotional, complicated, powerful, and ultimately uplifting journey…”

Much like a white-water rafting trip Susan takes with her family early on in this book, her story about love, loss, grief and healing takes us on a surprising ride.  From the opening passages, Susan grabs our attention, hangs on to it tightly, and never lets go, taking us along on an emotional, complicated, powerful, and ultimately uplifting journey following the death of her son, Kevin. Susan’s journey and the steps along the way will resonate with anyone who has grieved the loss of a loved one, whether human or canine, or with anyone who seeks messages from those they have lost. There’s something here for everyone, but most will certainly leave with hope, and just maybe with their eyes and minds open a little wider. -Sabrina

“…you’ll have a difficult time putting this book down. Susan’s skillfully written true story drew me in and held onto my heart….”

If you’re looking for a soul-bearing emotional read, you’ll have a difficult time putting this book down. Susan’s skillfully written true story drew me in and held onto my heart. It’s an incredibly brave examination of her struggle to come to terms with her innermost fears surrounding her son’s death. Her hopeful and insightful search for meaning after loss will have you crying, laughing and looking inward. -Patricia 

“…I want my friends and family to read Life After Kevin.  Not that I want sympathy, but rather, acknowledgment. I want them to ‘get me.’…”

Having lost an adult child, myself to an accidental overdose, I know only too well the struggle and determination needed to process the loss and return to some semblance of ‘normal.’ I want my friends and family to read Life After Kevin.  Not that I want sympathy, but rather, acknowledgment. I want them to ‘get me.’  Susan’s book is honest and sincere. It invokes questions about grief, healing, spirituality, and sadly, the stigma over the cause of death. –Deb


HOW IT BEGINS…

Life After Kevin opens with the last family trip I took with my husband and sons before Kevin died. A handful of months later, on my way home from the Golden Retriever Club of America’s National Specialty, I get the call that will change my life forever.


WHERE IT LEADS…

Dog training and shows come to a stop and my Golden Retrievers, Manny and Tripp take the lead and show me ways to engage with my grief, find grace, and keep going. While I anxiously await the toxicology results, I’m trying to find my way forward. Up against a world that no longer makes any sense, and one that believes there are “bad ways to die,” I constantly reevaluate who I am and what serves me, including my beliefs about whether my relationship with my son actually does have to end.


HONEST, HELPFUL, and HEALING

Life After Kevin will offer comfort, support, and hope to grieving families who are suffering the loss of children (especially those from overdose), while also illustrating the beautiful depth and bond between people and their pets on the path to healing. 

THIS BOOK IS FOR:

  • People experiencing grief
  • Parents who have experienced child loss
  • Those touched directly or indirectly by overdose
  • Those who want to gain insight into friends and family struggling with loss
  • Grief workers and support groups
  • Dog lovers and pet professionals

THIS MEMOIR PROMISES TO: 

  • Shed light on the widespread stigma of overdose and its impact on our grief
  • Invite readers to consider how relationships with their deceased loved ones may continue to exist beyond the physical space
  • Assert the precious role dogs can have in grief work and healing
  • Illustrate how grief can be used as a conduit to serve the greater good which in turn helps us heal

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“…Susan is a wonderful storyteller and shares her heart with her readers…”

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Life After Kevin: A Mother’s Search for Peace and the Golden Retrievers that Led the Way. I know it will be helpful to many who find themselves on a grief journey. Susan is a wonderful storyteller and shares her heart with her readers. Anyone who has lived through the passing of a child/children will understand the experiences and emotions Susan describes. The death of a loved one changes our life forever and Susan offers hope through her story. Realizing that we continue a relationship beyond the veil changes everything and Susan shares her transformation and her new relationship with Kevin. -Irene Vouvalides, Vice President, Helping Parents Heal

“…The details were so beautifully woven in with the love of her dogs…”

Susan has written so courageously about her journey after the tragic loss of her son Kevin. The details were so beautifully woven in with the love of her dogs and how she learned to accept and live on. This book will help others who have gone through this as well! -Katie

“…I was left feeling assured that no matter what happens, we can find a connection to our loved ones even after they have passed on...

Life After Kevin is an incredibly powerful, heartfelt, and spiritual memoir. Lynch’s love for her son and the Golden Retrievers that led her way to peace shines through every page. Anyone who has lost a loved one will find some part of this book that resonates with them. After reading Lynch’s beautiful tribute to her son, I was left feeling assured that no matter what happens, we can find a connection to our loved ones even after they have passed on. -Paula

Book photos can be found here.

Life With Rune

Why is socializing important?

Puppies go through a sensitive socialization period in the first months of life when they are uniquely prepared to benefit from exposure to new experiences. Continued socializing and training throughout his first year will help him:

  • Be happier
  • Be emotionally stable/ resilient
  • Be less reactive
  • Be less fearful
  • Have a better understanding of what is expected of him
  • Have better impulse control
  • Have better canine manners

Click here to get your free guide: “5 Safety Skills to Teach Your New Puppy”


Life with Rune is a Facebook group that shows puppy parents how to socialize and train their own puppy between 8 weeks and 12 months

Susan and Rune

Here’s what you get when you join:

  • Specific experiences to provide for an emotionally sound puppy
  • How to socialize and train your puppy during his first year
  • Short videos and photos demonstrating how to teach basic manners, come when called and walk nicely on a leash. 
  • Training and socializing resource to access anytime

What people are saying about Life With Rune

It has made me a better dog parent and I will benefit from the relationship I have with K. [SA]

Clear explanations for why you are doing what you’re doing and the visuals are incredibly helpful for anyone starting with a puppy. …I enjoyed how you shared Rune’s training modules in a way that showed the building blocks of puppy training. [BM]

I refer anyone I know with a retriever puppy to this group because you have done such a great job of breaking down the journey into small pieces. As a new pet owner I always thought it was some miracle or magic to see a person with a well trained dog. [KA]

Your explanations are clear and easy to follow which sets a pet owner up for success with their canine. [SW]

I look forward to seeing what Rune is learning. Sometimes it is something I thought I knew already, but the details matter. [JK]

 I love the way you present the information in small usable pieces that go beyond the basics taught in group classes. [KB]

I woke up every morning to a new lesson! Going on this journey with you and Rune is an experience I will never forget. It was educational, fun, made me laugh and I looked forward to seeing and hearing from you every day. I fell in love with you BOTH. [CS]

Tremendously helpful. My Fen is 6 months old now and I’m a bit behind on training him but I’m going through your posts step by step and he’s doing so well! Thank you for sharing and helping us be great doggie mommas and poppas. [CD]

The good news is that it’s available to start from the beginning in the guides section when you get your next puppy! [DH]

INVALUABLE information. [SR]

Even on a busy day, when I would not be able to break open a whole book or watch a long video, there is insight, a new idea, or approach to try. I have particularly liked your emphasis on building a close and trusted relationship through training and shared activities. [EF]

Achievements

Manny

Best Veteran

South Hamilton, MA

2016

Tripp

High in Trial

Topsham, ME

2016

Tripp

Master Hunter

Columbus, OH

2015

Manny

Best of Breed, Owner Handled

Yorktown Heights, NY

2015

Manny

Utility Dog

W. Springfield, MA

2014

Tripp

Hunting Retriever GRCA National Specialty

Asheville, NC

2014

Manny

Utility A

Amherst, NH

2014

Manny

CH/AFC LORELEI’S GOLDEN ROCKBOTTOM UD TROPHY at the GRCA National Specialty

Wichita Falls, TX

2013

Susan

GRCA National Specialty

Wichita Falls, TX

Year

2013

Manny

Qualifying Field Trial

Addison, VT

2012

Manny

Master Hunter

Addison, VT

2011

Luxa

Veteran Sweeps

Wrentham, MA

2011

Manny

CD Title

W. Springfield, MA

2011

Luxa

CDX

Wrentham, MA

2008

Luxa

High in Trial

Wrentham, MA

2008

Bailey

High in Trial

Brooklyn, CT

2000

About Susan

Introduction

Susan is an avid dog trainer, educator, and author. With over 25 years of experience in training, competing, and volunteering with her dogs, Susan has developed a passion for building the ultimate relationship with them. In 2015, when her son Kevin died of an accidental overdose, it was the relationship with her dogs that “saved” her. Since then, her purpose has become sharing her knowledge with others. You will now find her writing or speaking about complicated grief, what we can do to facilitate our own healing in grief, how she stays connected to her son today, and what she’s learned about living and grieving well from her dogs. 

In 2020, Susan created the Life With Rune Facebook group, a free resource to show new puppy parents how to socialize and train their own puppies. In the group, there are over 500 instructional posts containing videos, pictures, and explanations documenting how she raised her own puppies Rune and Ripple. 

In 2021 the Golden Retriever Club of America awarded Susan with the Rachel Page Elliot Featherquest Lifetime Achievement Award for sharing her knowledge to help educate others on puppy training.

Susan’s award-winning memoir is about the loss of her son to an accidental overdose and moving through grief with the loving support of her two Golden Retrievers.

Competing

Susan and her dogs compete in many American Kennel Club and Golden Retriever Club of America events. Her achievements include:

Field Events

Master Hunter (2)

Senior Hunter (3)

Junior Hunter (4)

4th place and Reserve JAM in qualifying stake (Field Trial)

UKC Hunting Retriever Champion

d

Obedience

Companion Dog (4)

Companion Dog Excellent (3)

Utility Dog

Highest Scoring Dog in Trial (4)

Conformation

Best of Breed (3)

Specialty Wins (2)

Champion

Group First

Best Veteran

Golden Retriever Club of America

Working Certificate (4)

Working Certificate Excellent (4)

Versatile Certificate (3)

Versatile Certificate Excellent

Dual Dog Hall of Fame

Outstanding Sire

Volunteering

In addition to visiting nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals, Susan and Manny were the therapy dog and handler team to give grief support for children in “Friends of Aine” through Merrimack Home Health and Hospice. They also had great success as a therapy team raising money for HHHC by participating in fundraisers connected with Fidelity.

Manny listening to Amelia Bedelia

Because some children find it easier to read to a dog rather than to an adult, Susan started a Read To A Dog program in her local library. 

As past Public Education Coordinator for Yankee Golden Retriever Club (YGRC), Susan developed: How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend and Choosing the Right Breed for You. Both of these programs were given with her dog Bailey to elementary school students where they educated the children on the differences between dog breeds and the responsibility of dog ownership.

This work earned Susan YGRC’s Sandy Sontag Award for exemplary service to the community. 

Advancing Responsible Dog Ownership

Susan has held many volunteer positions at Yankee Golden Retriever Club including public education coordinator, director, vice president, and president. She also organized and chaired events and educational workshops.

In 2020, she founded Life with Rune, a Facebook Group to support puppy parents. Life with Rune is a free resource to show how to train and socialize a puppy so they grow into well-behaved dogs who are treasured family members.

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