OUR LAST WALK HOME
Love, Cancer, and the Agony of Letting Go
In January, 2020, Jennifer Sanfilippo's life was upended when her husband Jim was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Thrust into the cancer battle against the backdrop of a roiling Covid-19 pandemic, Jim fought for his life while Jennifer fought to protect their family from the indignities of the healthcare complex.
Our Last Walk Home is an exploration of cancer treatment in the US, from diagnosis to death, through the lens of a widow's grief. This very personal, often painful, and surprisingly funny narrative challenges the big questions of mental health care for patients and families, patient centeredness in teaching hospitals, and our nations cultural refusal to create useful dialogue and practices that support individuals through death and grief. With a heartfelt and generous telling, Jennifer guides the reader through her journey of hope and loss.
ABOUT JENNIFER
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Jennifer Sanfilippo, MBA, enjoyed a robust career as a trusted executive advisor and political strategist. She brought her thoughtful, strategic sensibilities first to the public sector, advising members of Congress, governors, mayors and senior staffers at the federal, state and local levels. Mid-career, she transitioned to the private sector, advising senior executives at several financial institutions in New York State. Since Jim’s passing, Jennifer has turned her attention to providing support and counsel to those facing major life transitions, and facilitating end-of-life conversations. To support her work, she completed her executive coaching certification through Columbia University and continues her group facilitation training through the Center for Group Studies in New York City,
Jennifer is as charming as she is intelligent. Her ability to support meaningful conversations with empathy and well-placed humor is masterful. At a time when people seem to be moving away from each other, Jennifer feels not only compelled, but called to bring people together through our shared human experience.
On the home front, Jennifer is the delighted mother of two magnificent young men, and lives in comfortable co-dependence with her three cats in Rochester, NY.
“Before a new day dawned, in the quiet of our marital bed, we knew it was time to honor our love with release.”