Graceful Woman Warrior: A Story Of Mindfully Living In The Face Of Dying, is a posthumous memoir co-written by Terri Luanna da SIlva, her aunt Laurie O'Neil, and Terri's 9-year-old daughter, Marisa Alegria da Silva. A culmination of a promise Auntie Laurie made to Terri when she whispered, "I think I'm dying. I want you to tell people," Graceful Woman Warrior takes you on a sacred journey between, through and beyond life and death.
Terri Luanna da Silva was born and raised on both coasts of Canada by two transcendent Canadian artists, Jeanne and Spider Robinson. A self-proclaimed NYC party girl, social worker, stay-at-home Mom and world traveler; Terri was determined not to become a starving artist like her parents. But a Stage 4 Breast Cancer diagnosis compelled Terri to blog about her journey, and her unique voice and indomitable spirit inspired people all over the world. Taken directly from her blog, Terri’s story offers a bold blueprint for navigating the sacred cycles of life, death and living beyond. Terri received her MSW from Hunter College and was featured on several TV and radio shows. Terri is survived by her husband, Heron, and her daughter, the magical Miss M.
Laurie O'Neil is a life-long writer who uses the written word as a voice for her life experiences. Laurie has devoted her 39-year social work career to empowering, enlightening and engaging others in the critical power of loving connection—to themselves, those they love, and their fellow human beings. Laurie received her MSW from Boston University and worked as an early intervention specialist, school social worker, and psychotherapist. Trained by Maria Trozzi in the Good Grief Program, Laurie specializes in grief and loss. She co-developed The Caring Tree Family Grief Program, pioneered anti-bullying programming in the Dartmouth Public Schools, and is a local activist and speaker. Laurie humbly embraces the titles, “Artist of Humanity” and “Love Hero,” bestowed upon her by her friend, Dr. Christa Johnson, and great-niece, Miss M.
Marisa Alegria da Silva is a nine-year-old girl, writing songs, making art, having fun and most importantly eating candy. A fourth-grade student at James M. Quinn School, Marisa dreams of having her own horse and all the animals she dreams of. But for now, she can play with her favorite dog, Aura. And to this day, she will be happy, sad, excited, nervous and all those feelings. And her Mamãe will be doing all those things, too. In her memory, she can picture her and Mamãe baking a cake and licking the bowl together. And even though her Mamãe is not alive right now, Marisa knows Mamãe has all those feelings too and is busy creating beautiful sunsets, putting Marisa’s favorite songs on the radio, and visiting Marisa by sending a deer or two near her.