Rossmoor End of Life Concerns Club

Jim Greenberg, President EOLCC

President’s Musings

Jim is taking the month off from writing, but will see you at the Death Cafe.

Jim Greenberg, President EOLCC

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CLUB PRESIDENT JIM GREENBERG AND BESS CHOSAK, DEATH CAFE CO-FACILiTATORS

The Rossmoor Death Café will meet on April 10, 3:30-5:00 PM in the Vista Room at the Hillside Clubhouse.

Though not a grief support or therapy group, our Death Café offers a safe place for participants to bring up such end-of-life issues as Advanced Healthcare Directives, how to talk about final plans and wishes with your family, and other late life concerns.

Bess offered this our last Death Café meeting:

INSTRUCTIONS ON NOT GIVING UP



More than fuchsia funnels breaking out

of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor's

almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving

their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate

skies of Spring rains, it's the greening of the trees

that really gets to me. When all of the shock of white

and taffy, the worlds baubles and trinkets, leave

the pavement strewn with confetti of aftermath,

the leaves come. Patient plodding, a green skin

growing over whatever winter did to us, a return

to the strange idea of continuous living despite

the mess of us, the hurt, the empty. Fine then,

I'll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf

unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I'll take it all

— Ada Limon, Current Poet Laureate of the United States

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A Special Two Part Series: Wednesday, April 22 and 29, 1 PM, Room 2, Gateway

Living with Loss and Finding Light

By Marcia Liberson MSW, MPH

This is a new two-part course offered by The End of Life Concerns Club on April 22 and April 29 from 1–3 p.m. in Multipurpose Room 2 at Gateway. Based on the Wise Aging Curriculum created by Linda Thal, PhD, and Rabbi Rachel Cowan, the course will be taught by Rossmoor resident and Board Member Marcia Liberson, MSW, MPH, a retired Medical Ethicist and social worker specializing in end-of-life care, death, and dying.



The class will offer poetry, meditation, readings, and reflection to guide thoughtful discussions about the emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges that accompany aging: declining health; changing roles; the loss of friends, family, and independence. While acknowledging these realities, we will also focus on how to discover meaning, resilience, and new sources of joy. 

Free for 2026 EOLCC paid members, $50 for nonmembers. Contact Marley Middlebrook for membership status <marleypsyd@me.com&gt;. Email Marcia Liberson with questions &lt;bubbe2799@gmail.com>.

Marcia Liberson, MSW, MPH is a retired Medical Ethicist and social worker specializing in end-of-life care, death and dying. She is a facilitator of the Wise Aging Curriculum in Rossmoor and at local synagogues. She serves as Program Chair on the Board of Rossmoor’s End of Life Concerns Club.

Marcia Liberson, Program Chair

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Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve heard of Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). Is this legal and how does one qualify? 

Medical Aid in Dying is legal in California under California End of Life Option Act (aadm.org). Eligibility requires terminal illness, cognitive capacity to self-administer medications, two physicians’ confirmation that you have less than six months to live from an incurable illness, and oral and written requests by the patient.

How do I talk to my family about my final wishes? 

Start early, be honest, and focus on values. You may need to be assertive as some family members may find it difficult to face this topic. Use tools like advance directives; revisit discussions periodically to ensure clarity. (theconversationproject.org, 

What is a fiduciary and how can I find one? 

A fiduciary is a person or company which primarily manages financial decisions in your best interest when you cannot. Their services are fee-based. Find one via Professional Fiduciary Association of California (https://pfac-pro.org/) or local referrals; verify licensing and fees.

Club Website, Please Visit!

http://www.rossmooreolcc.org/

Our lending library is open to currently paid-up members. We have more than 20 titles available.

Library: Go to: RossmoorEOLCC.org>Resources>Bibliography

For information, or to borrow a book, please contact Jim Greenberg, EOLCC President.

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Marley Middlebrook, Membership Chair

MEMBERSHIP

Rossmoor has so many meaningful clubs it is a challenge for me to track those I have joined and or renewed. Currently, I am tracking on the "Apple Notes" app on my phone under a page titled "Rossmoor Clubs" as the phone is usually with me. At the end of the year, I can check off the ones I renew and delete the ones I want to drop.

Your membership renewals support our expenses which include offering you free of charge informative publications about death and dying, presentations by knowledgeable speakers, feature films, room rentals, and maintaining our website.

Please make check payable to EOLCC. Options for renewal include dropping off your renewal at our mailbox across from the Member's Desk, next Death Cafe, program or film. If you prefer postal mail, send to the Membership Chair at the following address:

EOLCC

Marley Middlebrook

5954 Autumnwood Dr 2A

Walnut Creek, CA 94595

Thank you,

Marley Middlebrook

marleypsyd@me.com or (925) 385-0336

Jim Greenberg, President

endoflifeconcerns@gmail.com

(412) 736-2317