Category Archives: The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Tammy Plakstis’ 29 yo Son Dylan

In Episode 202, I speak with Tammy Plakstis, Moderator of the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition’s facebook group, about her son Dylan’s death at age 29 to fentanyl poisoning.

She bravely shared Dylan’s unexpected illness and how it affected him, Tammy and her family.

Dylan did want his organs donated and it took a few more days after he could not be saved, for this to be completed. He saved many lives.

He is also survived by his father and five other siblings.

Dylan Edward Plakstis

Tammy is very active in creating awareness through the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition Facebook Group to help other families better understand fentanyl poisoning and also comforts Angel Moms there.

The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition is helping families and making their voices heard so we can decrease this scourge on our children and society, which is leaving hundreds of thousands of parents and families to grieve their deaths.

Watch my interview with Tammy here:

Visit The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition and its Facebook Group to learn more.

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #fentanylpoisoning #fentanyldeaths #onepillcankill #poison #deathofason #tammyplakstis #dylan #fentanylawarenesscoalition #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Tammy for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Diane Urban’s 25 yo Son Jordan

In Episode 201, I speak with Diane Urban, founder of the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs (APALD), about her son Jordan’s death at age 25 to fentanyl poisoning.

Jordan Garmatter 5/3/1993 – 4/6/2019

Diane turned her pain into a powerful organization to help others and spread awareness of this deadly drug.

They hold rallies in every state to engage the public, bereaved families and especially to get the politicians to do more on this issue.

Please visit the following sites to learn more and to get involved:

Visit the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs – https://www.weareapald.org

And their facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1025502964943186

Watch the video version of my conversation with Diane here –

Please share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #onepillcankill #fentanylpoisoning #deathofason #dianeurban #jordangarmatter #apald #associationofpeopleagainstlethaldrugs #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal – https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DN22KFWSZ8XY8
– is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – https://www.youtube/@themarymacshow – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Andi Sommerfeld Lee’s 28 yo Daughter Amanda

In Episode 200, I speak with Andi Sommerfeld Lee, Vice President of the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition, about her daughter Amanda’s death at age 28 to fentanyl poisoning.

Amanda’s brother Mike and Andi at her HS graduation

Andi speaks candidly about Amanda’s addiction and how it devastated her family over many years. It completely consumed Andi as she tried to save her daughter’s life.

Amanda with beloved dog, Duck, who Andi now cares for

Affectionately called “Mana”, she is survived by her stepdad Rick Lee, whom Andi has been married to for 22 years, her brother Mike, a veteran, who was 32 when Amanda died, and many loving relatives and friends.

Amanda with her beloved maternal grandmother, Barb

Andi is very active in creating awareness through the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition to help other families better understand fentanyl poisoning so it won’t devastate their families.

The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition is helping families and making their voices heard so we can decrease this scourge on our children and society, which is leaving hundreds of thousands of parents and families to grieve their deaths.

Chelsea (daughter in law), Mike (brother), Rick (stepfather), my Mom and my sister, Kris Sommerfeld

Watch my interview with Andi here:

Visit The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition and its Facebook Group to learn more.

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #fentanylpoisoning #fentanyldeaths #onepillcankill #poison #deathofadaughter #andilee #andisommerfeldlee #amandaharris #fentanylawarenesscoalition #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Andi for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Steve Filson’s 29 yo Daughter Jessica

In Episode 199, I speak with Steve Filson, Secretary of Victims of Illicit Drugs (VOID) about his daughter Jessica’s death at 29 to fentanyl poisoning.

Steve is an Air Force Veteran as well as spending 31 years as a former San Bernardino County Sheriff and in the Police Department in Southern California, including eleven years in the Homicide Squad and five years in Narcotics.

We discuss Jessica’s life and how, after giving birth to her daughter, Elara, was given opioids for the pain associated with an epidural which ultimately caused her continued use of these pills. But it was a laced line of cocaine that poisoned her and Nicholas. Today, Steve and Cherie are raising their granddaughter Elara.

Jessica with daughter Elara and Boyfriend Nicholas

Unfortunately, it was Cherie, her mother, who found Jessica and her boyfriend, Nicholas.

Below is a photo of their family when Jessica was pregnant.

Steve and Cherie Filson with son Trevor and daughter Jessica
Cherie comforting Elara

We also speak about Steve’s advocacy work and the documentary by Dominic Tierno and Christine Wood entitled “Dead On Arrival” exposing the illegal drug trafficking of fentanyl from Mexico featuring four parents who tell their painful stories of how this claimed their children’s lives and the effects on their families.

Please visit the following site to learn more:

“Dead on Arrival” documentary and VOID (Victims of Illicit Drugs) – https://www.stopthevoid.org

Watch the video version of our conversation below:

Please share this episode with others who could benefit from it and like, comment and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#fentanyl #death #fentanylpoisoning #death #onepillcankill #deathofadaughter #stevefilson #jessicafilson #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Thank you Steve for joining me and sharing your story. I appreciate it!

xoxo

Your support of my work, through PayPal – https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DN22KFWSZ8XY8 – is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@themarymacshow – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Laura Woody’s 29 yo Son Jimmy

In Episode 198, I speak with Laura Woody, administrator of Lost Voices of Fentanyl and Founder of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren While Grieving The Loss Of A Child, about her son Jimmy’s death at 29 to fentanyl poisoning.

Jimmy was involved in music as a young boy and enjoyed his band, James and The Nasty Peach, a thoroughly unique name!

James and The Nasty Peach

He loved his niece and nephew and enjoyed being around them, as seen in the photos below.

Jimmy Woody with Niece and Nephew

And we also spoke about how Grandparents are raising their grandchildren left behind from their children’s death. It takes a toll on parents who were ready to retire and now their savings and time are required to care for what Laura calls “Fentanyl Orphans” and “Fentanyl Grandfamilies” very appropriate titles.

Jimmy engaging with little one

We also spoke about the 3rd Annual rally on Saturday, September 23rd on the lawn in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. You can find details in the press release here.

Please do your best to attend the Rally to show America and its elected officials that they need to do more to help the surviving families and to bring awareness to this lethal drug so less families will need to survive the death of their children.

Watch my interview with Laura here:

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #fentanylpoisoning #fentanyldeaths #onepillcankill #poison #deathofason #laurawoody #jimmywoody #lostvoicesoffentanylrally #grandparentsraisinggrandchildren #fentanylorphans #fentanylgrandfamilies #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Laura for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo