An Ottawa Valley woman who suffered unimaginable tragedy says sharing her story has allowed her to release the pain and guilt of grief, and she hopes it can help others. Jackie Agnew has written a book called “Ashes, Grace and the Woman I Became: A Guide to Healing from Trauma and Grief”.
The former Bonnechere Valley Councillor is the wife of the late Steve Agnew, a well known local musician and businessman who died when the couple’s Eganville home burned down in August 2024. In the span of one year, Jackie had lost her husband and her home, her father, father-in-law and her step-daughter. She says writing about it was her way of dealing with it.
Agnew says the book helped her come to terms with survivor’s guilt.
Agnew says the book is meant as a guide to help others suffering with loss or grief. She credits Burnstown Publishing for walking her through the process of getting the book out there.
She’ll be talking about the book and selling copies at her official launch on April 30th at 6pm at the Bonnechere Union Public Library. A couple weeks later the book will be available in local book stores.
Agnew says anyone interested can follow her Facebook page for information on when and where it will become available.
Written by: Cindy Clyne
