About Maryalene LaPonsie

My husband didn’t expect to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer at age 34. I didn’t expect to become a widow at age 35. While it’s hard to call it a silver-lining, we were fortunate in that I was always our family’s breadwinner…
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It wasn’t until after my husband died that I realized how much I relied on him for home maintenance tasks. Whether it was unclogging the toilet or patching holes in the drywall, he did it all. Now that he’s gone, it’s fallen to me to get all…
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Whether it comes unexpectedly or after a long illness, losing a spouse is traumatic at best. At worst it can be debilitating. I know because, at age 35, I became a widow myself. Read More

No one wants to work forever. But leaving a job that provides a steady paycheck can be scary. However, if you have money arriving every month from multiple sources, retirement can seem a little less nerve-wracking. Read More

Growing up, it felt as though we spent most Sundays visiting my Grandma in a nursing home. Some days she would be angry and combative. Others times she appeared listless and disinterested. Read More

My aunt, 83, is like my third parent.

She taught in schools around the world and spent every summer living with us. Always single and with no children of her own, she has been, in my mind, a part of our immediate – not extended – family. I love and adore her. Read More

Your husband may be out of the picture, but his Social Security could still be a part of your life. Whether you’re widowed or divorced, U.S. law may allow you to collect benefits based upon your former spouse’s work history. Read More