Ease The Burden of Grief: Support for Newly Widowed Family

In the early hours of October 12th, 2024, the unabashed and boisterous life of Joshua Psiurski was unexpectedly cut short. He was known simply as 'Josh' by those who loved him, and while he lived an ordinary life, nothing about him was simple or ordinary at all. Josh had an unfiltered authenticity, driven by his desire to understand others, even if that meant playing devil’s advocate to get there. It was his honesty, humor, and quiet strength that drew people to him, and his open heart that left a lasting impact on everyone who crossed his path. Josh leaves behind a family and community forever changed by his loss: his mother, Lorrie; his father-figure, Jeff; his loving wife, Joanna; and his stepson, Kemp.

Josh and Joanna (who we lovingly call Jo) shared a beautiful bond that brought both of them strength in a series of challenging times. In 2022, they mourned the loss of Jo’s mother, Thresa, who had been their steadfast support – just before their wedding in August of that same year. As they were beginning to rebuild, a string of unexpected challenges and moves stretched their resources thin. This past August, they finally settled into a new home, hoping to make a fresh start – only to face this unimaginable loss just two months later.

Now, as Jo navigates life as a widow, she faces not only the emotional weight of her grief but also the financial strain of going from a dual-income household to a single one. Without bereavement support or employment insurance as a contractor, Jo is carrying the costs of their recent move, funeral expenses, and day-to-day living alone – all while grieving the loss of her husband, and supporting her young son through the loss of his stepdad. In addition, she is facing legal expenses as she works to resolve the complex matters of Josh’s estate and seek clarity around the cause of his passing, a process that has only increased emotional and financial strain.

As Josh and Joanna's closest friends, we’re reaching out on her behalf, asking for donations of any size to help Jo and Kemp through this challenging time. Please help us ease the burden of her grief, and remember that even one single dollar makes a difference – that said, we understand if you can't afford to contribute financially. By sharing this page you may link us to somebody who can, and that helps too!

Your support can make a tremendous impact, allowing Jo to find some stability while she heals, and honoring Josh’s memory by helping to care for their family that he loved so much. Thank you for any contribution you’re able to offer, and for helping us keep Josh’s spirit alive in the community he cherished. As life keeps moving and so do these processes of litigation and healing, we will update this page periodically and may adjust our goal accordingly.

And hey, go take a minute to make sure your loved ones know just how much you love them... we really never know what moments could be our last... xoxo