This month’s Nye Beach Writers’ Series presents a solo performance by author and former Governor of Oregon, Barbara Roberts on July 20, 2002 at 7p.m. in the Studio Theatre of the Performing Arts Center, 777 West Olive, Newport. Admission is $7, $6 for OCCA Members. Student tickets are 2-for-1. Light dinners offered by Café Mundo. When Barbara Roberts' husband, Frank Roberts, was dying of lung cancer, she was the Governor of Oregon and he was an Oregon State Senator. Frank explained to her how he wanted to proceed and how he wanted to die. They asked questions that scared each them and then made uncomfortable decisions. They spent plenty of time saying goodbye and speaking of love and attended to all the details that must be attended to when there's enough time to plan. They brought in hospice for guidance, and then for assistance once Frank stopped ineffective medical intervention. He died at home in 1993, surrounded by family members and the hospice nurse. There was no funeral, just a memorial service. He asked not to have his body viewed after death. His last wishes were adhered to. Barbara felt the unbearable grief of his loss even though she had been so well prepared. And she kept feeling it. Grieving became even more profound as she tried to cope with the death of both her parents, and when her younger sister unexpectedly died. Barbara says she developed secret ways of grieving so as not to appear "weird." "I do not know who made these rules about 'appropriate grieving," Barbara writes. "I only know they are wrong." She says her book, "Death Without Denial, Grief Without Apology" was written as a guide for facing death and loss. The book presents a simple statement: it is imperative to face the topic of death head-on with those that are dying and it's okay to grieve when they're gone. The book is gentle to read. There's no gratuitous pity; nothing to play on one's heartstrings to make one sob. Barbara shares her most personal experiences. She suggests we abandon the silence that too often accompanies impending death. She suggests that we learn to talk openly and to take as long as we need to grieve. "Death Without Denial" is written for both the individual facing death and for those who must grieve after a death. Barbara Roberts is the solo guest at the July 20 Nye Beach Writers' Series. She will read from her book, then answer questions from the audience. She's eager to talk about any issues surrounding death and grieving, women in politics, leadership, and environmental stewardship. Barbara Roberts is a fourth-generation Oregonian; a descendant of Oregon Trail pioneers raised to believe that girls could do anything. She has always been a strong advocate for the personal needs of people and a leader in human and civil rights, including those of low income families, the disabled, women, and senior citizens. She began her public service as a volunteer advocate for handicapped children. From 1981 to 1984, she served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives and was elected Oregon's first woman House majority leader during her second term. In 1984, she was elected Oregon's Secretary of State, and reelected in 1988. In 1991, she was elected Oregon's first (and only) woman Governor, succeeding Neil Godschmidt. During her four-year term, Oregon was recognized by Financial World Magazine as the seventh best-managed state in the nation. Her administration was known for its strong gay rights advocacy and its appointment of women and minorities to positions in state government. Barbara currently teaches at Portland State University's Hatfield School of Government's Executive Leadership Institute as Associate Director of Leadership Development. "Death Without Apology, Grief Without Apology" is her first book. Copies of books by Barbara Roberts will be available for purchase and autographing through the courtesy of Patti Siberz from Bob's Beach Books in Lincoln City. Café Mundo will be offering light dinner items and desserts to the Writers' Series audience. Order before the show begins and your delectables will be delivered to the Studio Theatre during the first intermission.