Brenda Lee Sieglitz is an entrepreneur, author and educator whose expertise is in travel, grief, and nature. Widowed in 2008 at 24 years of age, Brenda is an advocate for sarcoma patients, the widowed community, and conservation through her volunteerism with the National Park Service, Lancaster County Conservancy, Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, Lancaster Against Pipelines, Hospice & Community Care, Soaring Spirits International, Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, and Angiosarcoma Awareness.

Brenda won the 2009 Associated Content “Content of the Year” award for her editorial titled ‘A Widow’s View on the U.S. Healthcare Debate’, and in 2011 was named one of Wyndham (Hotel) Worldwide’s “Women on their Way” Local Nation travel writers. Most recently her love and loss memoir, Ebb from the Shoreline, won 1^st Place Editor’s Choice in Nonfiction at the 2014 North American Book Awards. Sieglitz holds a degree in business and became a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist in 2015. She is the owner and group tour leader of Widow Voyages since 2016. She is a subject matter expert on solo travel and has presented nature and travel workshops at Camp Widow, the NJ Tourism Industry Association, Millersville University Institute of Lifelong Learning, Hospice & Community Care, Highmark Caring Place, Lancaster County Parks, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Willow Valley Communities, Masonic Village Elizabethtown, Chester County Library, and Traditions of America – Lititz.

In her spare time, she adores playing with her two nieces, going on family adventures with her husband, stepdaughter and son-in-law, hiking, camping, sewing and is working to complete her bucket list dream of visiting all National Park units.

Sieglitz has been married to her best friend Dave since 2013 and continues to reside in Lancaster County with their two beagles Scotch and Fina.

“I think you do a terrific job of inspiring young newly bereaved folks to realize there is life that continues. That there are others like themselves, they are not alone and you are there for them. And of course when you get the opportunity, please explain the wide variety of ways we can support anyone grieving ANY type of death in the commmunity, they just have to call us at 717-391-24123” – Patti Anewalt – Director – Pathways Center for Grief & Loss-Hospice & Community Care

“Brenda has shared her journey as a widow — a very misunderstood, feared role for most of us — with courage and and a dedication to change our world for the better. Through her blog and other writing, she’s shown that she can be compassionate, persuasive, and intelligent on even a complex issue like U.S. health reform. Grief and loss, as well as the young adult experience fighting cancer, are emerging areas and Brenda is right on the ball with a fresh, relevant point of view and her own unique voice. Her love for her late husband, Kevin, is palpable, as is the strength and joy she brings to finding a new life.” – Robin Moore, FreshWidow

“With Brenda , what you see is what you get. Brenda is one of those rare individuals who can wear her heart on her sleeve, show compassion, make you laugh, and make you cry…all at the same time. As Brenda shares her story of grief at a young age, you’ll get a dose of reality, not shrouded in platitudes, drama, or psychobabble. Brenda is real, and her story is real – just what others dealing with grief need to hear.” – Ken Mueller Inkling Media

“Brenda’s sincerity and authenticity effectively peel back the layers of topics rarely spoken about: grief and death. Her youth is the unique angle, and she offers such a fresh perspective that you’ll have trouble not being changed by her story.” – Shawn Smucker ShawnSmucker.com