About this Event
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross at 100
The Fierce Humanity Behind the Stages of Grief
Join us in person to celebrate the incredible legacy of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Dive deep into the intense emotions and real stories that shaped her groundbreaking work on grief. This event offers a raw, heartfelt look at the fierce humanity behind those famous stages we all know. Don’t miss this chance to experience the power and compassion that changed lives forever!
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross at 100
The Fierce Humanity Behind the Stages of Grief
A Living Well, Dying Aware Community Gathering
**Thursday, August 13, 2026**
**6:00 PM – 7:30 PM**
**Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library**
1289 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO
Presented by Ken Ross son of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and President of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation.
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Event Overview
Join us for a powerful evening honoring the 100th birthday legacy of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross — psychiatrist, humanitarian, bestselling author of *On Death and Dying*, and one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Important Thinkers of the 20th Century.”
Through personal storytelling, historical reflection, and compassionate conversation, Ken Ross will offer an intimate look at the real human being behind the groundbreaking work that transformed how the world understands dying, grief, caregiving, and the emotional landscape of loss.
This gathering is part of Steamboat Springs’ growing *Living Well, Dying Aware* Community Workshop Series — an initiative devoted to increasing end-of-life literacy and creating thoughtful, compassionate spaces for conversations surrounding mortality, caregiving, grief, and what it means to live fully.
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Elisabeth Kübler-Ross as a Pioneer Who Changed the World
· Discover how Elisabeth Kübler-Ross helped transform medical culture by bringing humanity, dignity, and compassion into conversations surrounding dying and grief.
· The Human Being Behind the Theory
· Hear personal stories from Ken Ross about his mother’s courage, controversy, compassion, and relentless advocacy for the dying.
· Understanding the Five Stages of GriefExplore how the Five Stages of Grief were never intended to be rigid or linear, but instead became a shared global language for understanding loss.
· Why Her Legacy Matters Today
· In a culture that often avoids conversations about mortality, this evening invites our community into deeper reflection around caregiving, grief, advance care planning, and compassionate presence.
· Living Fully Through Mortality Awareness
· Learn how end-of-life awareness can deepen connection, meaning, healing, and intentional living.
· The Death Doula Movement and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s LegacyExplore how today’s death doula movement carries forward Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s vision of compassionate accompaniment, emotional honesty, dignity, and human-centered care at the end of life.
· Reflect on the profound role of compassionate presence, deep listening, and nonjudgmental accompaniment in supporting individuals and families through dying, grief, and transition.
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About the Living Well, Dying Aware Community Workshop Series
Together, we are building a series of community gatherings titled *Living Well, Dying Aware* — creating thoughtful, compassionate spaces for conversations surrounding mortality, caregiving, grief, and what it means to live fully.
Our long-term vision is to help establish Steamboat Springs as a model compassionate community where conversations surrounding death, grief, caregiving, and advance care planning are normalized, accessible, and community-supported.
Through workshops, educational gatherings, storytelling, and collaborative partnerships, we hope to:
* Increase community end-of-life literacy
* Encourage and support Steamboat residents in completing their Advance Directives and engaging in meaningful advance care planning conversations with loved ones and healthcare providers
* Reduce fear and isolation surrounding death and grief
* Support caregivers and families
* Encourage advance care planning conversations
* Foster intergenerational dialogue and compassionate connection
* Build a sustainable network of local professionals, volunteers, and organizations committed to whole-person care
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Workshop Series Hosts & Facilitators
Kathy Shea, MSW
New to the Steamboat community and a death doula, Kathy brings a grounded and compassionate presence informed by years of direct accompaniment at the threshold of life and death, as well as her time as Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s secretary and later as the founding Executive Director of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation, working alongside Elisabeth’s son, Ken Ross, whose work helped shape modern understanding of grief and end-of-life care.
Alison (Al) Zimmerman
A Steamboat local, death doula, and founder of Wiseaspirations & Legacy Blueprint Productions, Al is devoted to creating intentional containers that inspire expression, expansion, collaboration, and healing. Her work is shaped by a path of death, grief, yoga, self-inquiry, recovery, learning, teaching, and travel — informing a creative, sustainable, and deeply human approach to gathering and connection.
Jo Anne Grace, PhD
A former hospice chaplain serving the Steamboat community, Jo Anne integrates neuroscience and Pneumasomatic Care™ in her work in her private practice. She supports reflection, self-regulation, and embodied awareness across the physical, emotional, mental, behavioral, and spiritual dimensions of experience, bringing a deeply attuned and compassionate presence to this space.
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Sponsorship Invitation
Help Underwrite a Compassionate Community Conversation
We invite local businesses, healthcare organizations, financial professionals, wellness practitioners, and community members to partner with us in bringing meaningful end-of-life education and compassionate dialogue to Steamboat Springs.
Your sponsorship directly supports:
* Community education programming
* Venue and event costs
* Speaker travel and accommodations
* Scholarships and accessible attendance
* Printed educational materials
* Community outreach and awareness
* Future Living Well, Dying Aware gatherings
Together, we can help cultivate a more informed, connected, and compassionate community.
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Sponsorship Levels
Seed of Awareness Sponsor — $100
* Recognition on event materials
* Recognition on social media sponsor thank-you post
Conversation Sponsor — $250
* All previous benefits
* Name recognition at event welcome
Compassion Sponsor — $500
* All previous benefits
* Logo placement on event flyer and digital promotions
Presence Sponsor — $1,000
* All previous benefits
* Featured sponsor recognition during event
* Opportunity to include promotional materials at event
Legacy Sponsor — $2,500
* All previous benefits
* Prominent logo placement on all event materials
* Recognition as Community Partner for the Living Well, Dying Aware Series
Compassionate Community Sponsor — $5,000+
* Premier sponsorship recognition
* Co-presenting sponsor designation
* Featured recognition across workshop series communications
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Sponsorship Vision
This workshop series is designed not as a single event, but as a long-term community initiative supporting:
* Public conversations surrounding mortality and meaning
* End-of-life literacy and advance care planning
* Grief education and caregiver support
* Interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare, wellness, hospice, legal, and financial communities
* Compassionate community development in Steamboat Springs
We believe conversations about mortality are ultimately conversations about how we live
Contact Information
For sponsorship opportunities, collaboration inquiries, or community partnership conversations:
Kathy Shea, MSW
Founder, Journey With Hope
Co-Collaborator “Living Well, Dying Aware - Steamboat Community Workshop Series”
480-861-7511
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bud Werner Memorial Library - Library Hall, 1289 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs, United States
USD 0.00
