Lisa Manning and Tony Laudico met in Tokyo, Japan where they were both working at the time. It was a serendipitous encounter of a Canadian and an American, and the beginning of their version of a modern fairy tale romance. They lived happily for 27 years in many countries around the globe and made thousands of memories with their extended families, friends and two wonderful sons.  But unlike many fairy tales that end when a couple dies on the same day after a long life together, Tony’s and Lisa’s fairy tale had a different ending.  Lisa Manning Laudico died on August 6th 2022 after five years of living with metastatic breast cancer. She died quickly and unexpectedly within one week.  Tony was suddenly faced - as it turns out totally unprepared - with the stunning reality of becoming a widower and the future without the love of his life, his partner and best friend. A year later, soon after the one year anniversary of Lisa’s passing, Tony got in touch with our Executive Producer Victoria Goldberg and suggested that they meet and talk about Lisa’s last days and how he was able to survive these past 12 months without her.  It is remarkable and at times, heart wrenching account of Tony’s struggle to comprehend a life without the partnership that had sustained and defined him for 30 years, his whole adult life.

He will talk about the anguish of loss, a nightmare of "death-duties", the true meaning of grief, and the solace of friendship.

Although not always easy listening, it is an uplifting testament to the power of love.

Resources:

Lisa had previously shared information with us on the Reimagine Organization.  Lisa wrote: "Reimagine is profound and life-changing work, exploring the taboos of death and the celebration of life." 

Soaring Spirits has one goal; to connect widowed people with each other, and offer widowed people resources, community, and hope.

* Special thanks to John Martyn for the use of his song “Small Hours” - One World (1977)

Meet the Guest of the Episode