Welcome to the Cincinnati Widows!

We are a group of widow(er)s who have become friends, and meet a few times a year to socialize together, with food and libations.

Our founders met at a local hospice and grief center, where the wonderful folks there provided us with sanctuary to speak, listen and be with people who get what it is like to have lost the most important person of our lives. Sadly, corporate culture long ago destroyed that sanctuary, but we are still here.

This group allows us to be surrounded more often with people who understand what it's like, when the rest of the world doesn't.

Please read the first, to understand more about how we function.

We also have a that is important. Many people are vulnerable and it's important for us to protect them.

FAQ (read this first)

COVID/Flu Policy

Come join us!


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These are important to know.
Please read!

  • Q: Why is the group here?

    A: VERY IMPORTANT: This is a periodic dinner group, not an actual support group. The scheduling is semi regular, meeting 3x each year. If you are having a difficult time with your grief and you need someone to talk to right now, contact a healthcare professional or call 911.

  • Q: Who runs this web site?

    A: My name is Tommy and I was widowed in May 2012. I run this site at my own expense. There is no warranty expressed or implied.

  • Q: Why had the old mailing had the name "Tuesdaynight" when we don't meet much on Tuesdays?

    A: The group started around 2012, and most of the people had been to the Hospice's excellent support group for young widows. That group was on Tuesday nights. The reason the social group does NOT usually choose that is to not interfere with that. For a few years now, the group has met on Thursdays, because those are the most likely nights that are free for most people.

  • Q: Do our names get out on the internet?

    A: The group uses "groups.google.com" for the email list. The group is marked PRIVATE so that non members are not allowed to see it.

  • Q: Is this a "Meetup.Com" group?

    A: This is a completely private and independent group, and is not associated with "meetup.com" or any other web site. Not just anyone can join, and all members are verified before being allowed in.

  • Q: Is attendance required?

    A: Only for those who RSVP as Yes for a particular get-together. Anyone who RSVPs yes and fails to show up is a no-show, and three no-shows per person is the limit. Showing up without an RSVP is considered "crashing" and has a limit of two before being removed. We need your RSVPs if you're coming so that we have an accurate person count for the restaurant reservation.

  • Q: Is there a fee?

    A: There are no dues or fees. Everyone pays for their own dinner and drinks.

  • Q: What church runs this group?

    A: This group is unaffiliated with any other group. We get some referrals from friendly sources. If you're specifically looking for a religious style grief support organization, see your favorite clergy who will know where you can get help.

  • Q: Who may join?

    A: Any widow, widower, or person may join that has lost a spouse, fiancé, fiancée, or significant other. We are safe for all orientations and faiths (including "none.") We do not permit bullying.

  • Q: Where do we go?

    A: Local area restaurants. We choose from a small list of places that are easy to get to, have good parking, decent food, reasonably priced, and easy for people to leave if they need to.

  • Q: Are you counselors?

    A: No. We are other widow(er)s, a group of people going out on occasion. Those who need counseling need to seek a professional.

  • Q: What about HIPAA?

    A: Despite popular opinion on the internet, HIPAA only applies to healthcare organizations or insurance companies. We are none of those, so HIPAA does not apply. That said, this is a private email list. The list is not given out or sold to anyone.

  • Q: Does Hospice sponsor you?

    A: No. Several of the members met at the local hospice more than a decade ago. Other than that, we are completely unaffiliated and no official connection exists.

  • Q: May I rant about my/your religion, politics, or conspiracy theories?

    A: This group is a place for caring for one another. Divisive subject matter is taboo. If you have a lecture or conspiracy theory prepared, please leave it at home. (applies to both parties)

  • Q: What about other bereaved people?

    A: This group is limited to people who have lost their spouse or significant other.

  • Q: I need a sponsor. Who will be my sponsor?

    A: This is not that sort of group. This is a group of widow(er)s who want to find common ground in a friendly setting. If you need the sort of help that needs a sponsor or counselor, please find a qualified professional.

  • Q: I'm trolling for babes / dudes. Is that cool?

    A: No.

    One complaint as such about a member making another member feel uncomfortable, and they're out, period, with zero tolerance. Zero tolerance means one strike and you're out, no appeal, no warning, no negotiating. The violator is unceremoniously removed from the database.

    If someone in the group makes you feel uncomfortable, please notify me directly. Don't post a complaint to the list, because like all the messages, everyone will see it.

    Address a new email (don't use "Reply") to:


    Do NOT report to:
    .

  • Q: Someone on the list is being creepy!

    A: Report the person directly to me.

    Don't post the complaint to the list or everyone will see it.

    Address a new email (don't use "Reply") to:


    Do NOT use:

  • Q: Hey! I have a great business opportunity / running for office / product / religion / political message / conspiracy theory to share with everyone!

    A: No, thank you. No MLM, business "opportunities", product pitches, political campaigning, proselytizing or propagandizing here. This is a place for people to heal.

  • Q: When do we meet?

    A: It has been sort of "random" for a while. Starting late summer 2026, it will be set to 3x / year. February, June, October.

  • Q: I want to sign up anonymously or use my pseudonym. Is that cool?

    A: No. Only real people are in this group. Anyone later discovered to have used false information to get into the group are deleted immediately, no questions asked. Sign-ups that I cannot validate are not added to the group.

  • Q: I hear talk of the "other" group or the "2012" or the "founders" group. Can I join that, too?

    A: This web site is the home to the real Cincinnati Widows group. You're already in the right place.

  • Q: I have this fabulous deck! How about a "pot luck?" Can we organize a thing at my house?

    A: Sure, but you will have to organize it yourself.
    I only organize at local publicly accessible places, easy to find, easy to park, easy to leave immediately. Be aware that people brand new to grief may not be willing to go to a private residence of someone they hardly know.

  • Q: I'm having horrible grief! It doesn't seem fair that other people at the get-together are having a good time.

    A: Everyone grieves differently and we are all in a different space at any given time. It's a socialization group, and the conversation just goes wherever it goes. At some gatherings, hardly a word is spoken about grief or bereavement. At others, it's the majority of what folks are talking about. Everyone there "gets it." People like being with those they feel safe with, and when grieving, one often feels like "outsiders" just don't "get it." This is how people can have a good time while still going through grief.

  • Q: Do I have to sign a contract?

    A: There is no contract, since no consideration or money is given in exchange for membership. The group maintainer reserves the right to remove members from the email list as is applicable and appropriate to maintain the safety of all those in the list.

  • Q: Is there any RSVP "policy" for get-togethers?

    A: If you're attending, please accept the google invitation to the event and RSVP "Yes" for it.

    "Maybe" RSVPs count as "No" for seat counting purposes.

    If you're bringing someone with you, email the list admin at:


    If you RSVP "yes" to a meet and don't show, that's considered a no-show.

    If you show up without RSVPing, that's considered "crashing" despite being a member.

    The preferred method of RSVP is to click "Yes" in the calendar invite. If you cannot but want to come you may email:



  • Q: Hey! I'm gonna be late!

    A: We usually order at about ten or quarter past. If you show up and get seated by the time it's done, it doesn't get counted as a no-show, but you might go hungry. It's up to the restaurant as to whether or not you'll be served if it's at the end.

  • Q: Can I bring a widow(er) that I know with me to a dinner?

    A: Yes, but we are keeping the group to widows and widowers only, please. There are other groups for other types of loss out there somewhere.

  • Q: Can I leave the group and come back?

    A: In the case that you re-marry and are then bereft again, I can re-enter you manually. Contact the admin at:

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COVID/Flu Policy

The purpose of the Cincinnati Widows Group is for people who understand the grief of losing a significant other to get together. It is a "safe space" and is meant to be exactly that. The only starting membership requirement is that one be a widow, widower, or someone whose significant other has passed on.

As a group whose purpose it to care for each other, we should take steps to care for one another before and when meeting. We do not mandate masks or vaccines, but do recommend people follow the common sense guidelines from their board certified doctor.

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes" then please skip the gathering, regardless of your RSVP. Inform the admin of your COVID or Flu and the RSVP will not count as a "no-show."

* Fever or chills?
* Coughing?
* Shortness of breath?
* Muscle or body aches?
* Recent loss of taste or smell?
* Sore throat?
* Nausea or diarrhea?
* Tested or diagnosed positive in the last ten days?
* Exposed to someone infected in the last two weeks?

On the subject of COVID or Flu, conspiracy theories are covered under the FAQ question regarding religion and politics. Please read the FAQ for those.

Cincinnati Widows Group is NOT a healthcare provider, it is a dinner group whose attendees share a common experience. If you are having a very difficult time with your grief, or if you are considering harming yourself or others, or both, contact a healthcare professional or call 911.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST: This is a periodic dinner group. We are not a health care organization. Please call a professional or 911 if you are in any sort of urgent situation.

When you sign up, you're not creating an account anywhere. The email list is marked "private" so non-members cannot see it. All entries are checked by hand before they get added to the group, with no automation, no AI or Chat-GPT. Entries that appear frivolous or fake will not be added. Entries that attempt to be anonymous or pseudo anonymous, are not added. This is to prevent stalkers from joining.

I examine the queue once every couple of weeks and will send the invitation to join the group. The email will come from cincywid (at-sign) googlegroups.com. After you receive that email, you will have to click on the button in that email to accept the membership. The email will look like below. Be sure to add the above address to your list of safe email addresses.

SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE

SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE

Emails from the group are only sent out when a group member addresses and sends an email to cincywid (at-sign) googlegroups.com

If you want to send a message to everyone in the group, for example, to suggest a place to meet for a brew or coffee, or you need an understanding shoulder, address an email from the address you signed up with to cincywid (at-sign) googlegroups.com, and everyone in the group will get it.

If you want to converse privately with another member, get their individual email address and send to that instead. All emails to cincywid (at-sign) googlegroups.com are seen by the entire group.

If you spam the group with any sort of advertising, product recommendations, politics, or proselytizing, etc. you will be removed without warning.


Yes, sign me up!

I'll pass. Maybe later.

All information is kept strictly private. Your information is not given to anyone outside the group.

This group is not affiliated with any outside organization.

Entries with red asterisks are required.


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