Susan Rosenberg Jones

There is nothing like the grief one experiences after a life partner passes away. When I lost my first husband in 2008, I searched for books and articles addressing this particular loss. I was looking for suggestions on coping techniques from others who'd been widowed. There wasn't much.

I remarried in 2012. After focusing on my loving relationship with my second husband, Joel in my body of work “Second Time Around,” I realized that my feelings about my first husband’s passing were still evolving, bubbling up occasionally at random times.

Since March of 2018, I have been meeting with widows and widowers of all ages, gay and straight, having been in legal marriages or in committed partnerships. We have a conversation, recorded for accuracy, and I make the portrait. A printed statement from the subject accompanies each photograph. This process is emotionally satisfying as my sitters and I examine together how a marriage can shape us going forward. I hope that by sharing their stories, those suffering this profound loss - whether recently or not - will take comfort in recognition and shared experience.

Darrell - 25 years together, 1.5 years after

Josi - 40 years together, 2.5 years after

Dennis - 12 years together, 3 months after

Diana - 22 years together, 6.5 years after

Edward - 58 years together, 8 months after

Edith - 33 years together, 4 years after

Eddie - 27 years together, 14 years after

Lori - 22 years together, 11 years after

Gail F - 23 years together, 7 weeks after

Ronnye - 20 years together, 17.5 years after

Darrell - 25 years together, 1.5 years after

Josi - 40 years together, 2.5 years after

Dennis - 12 years together, 3 months after

Diana - 22 years together, 6.5 years after

Edward - 58 years together, 8 months after

Edith - 33 years together, 4 years after

Eddie - 27 years together, 14 years after

Lori - 22 years together, 11 years after

Gail F - 23 years together, 7 weeks after

Ronnye - 20 years together, 17.5 years after