Photos by @bytaylorjames
For many residents of Eagle, the serene landscapes and community-focused lifestyle offer a sense of sanctuary. For Dr. Susan Walton, a retired BYU-Idaho professor and longtime Eagle resident, that sense of community became a lifeline during one of life’s most difficult transitions.
In her newly released book, Lunch with the Widows: What I Learned About Living After My Husband Died, Susan explores the delicate, often unspoken journey of navigating life after loss. The project was born out of necessity during the early days of the pandemic, shortly after her husband of 43 years, Mark, passed away.
Finding Lifelines in Isolation
When Mark died in August 2020, Susan found herself in a uniquely challenging position. Like many educators, she was back to teaching via Zoom just eight days later. Living in Rigby, Idaho, at the time—separated from her children and grandchildren in the Midwest—the isolation was palpable.
“I remember staring out the window thinking, I have got to start connecting with people,” Susan recalls. “I couldn’t let myself get cut off.”
This need for connection led to a Thanksgiving lunch over Zoom with a fellow widow. The experience was transformative. “We laughed, we cried, we connected,” she says. That single interaction sparked a two-year journey of interviewing women who had been widowed for five to seven years. Susan sought out those who had “made it” past the initial fog of grief to see what life looked like on the other side.
The “Wisdom of the Widows”
The book, published by Cedar Fort Publishing, is designed as a “slim, good read”—something that can be finished in a few evenings. Each chapter tackles specific situations, from reclaiming confidence in decision-making to maintaining a spiritual connection with a lost loved one.
One of the most practical elements of the book is the “Wisdom of the Widows” sections found at the end of each chapter. Susan provides advice not just for those grieving, but for their friends and families.
“People don’t always know what to say,” Susan notes. “But to a woman, everyone I spoke to said they would rather have people fumble and stumble but try to reach out, than not say anything at all. The message is: take the risk.”
“Pulling a Mark”
While the book deals with loss, it is anchored in the legacy of kindness. The Walton family honors Mark’s memory through “National Pull a Mark Day.” Mark, a frequent traveler known for his selflessness, once gave up his seat so a mother could sit with her child—an act that later earned his daughter a surprise first-class upgrade from a grateful ticket agent.
Now, the family uses the airplane logo as a symbol to encourage others to “go first class with kindness.”
A New Chapter in Eagle
Today, Susan has found her sanctuary once again in Eagle. The book’s epilogue reveals a beautiful full circle: Susan has since remarried a fellow widower she met right here in the community.
“I moved back here because it’s one of my favorite places on earth,” she says. “I’ve lived here three times, and the siren song of Boise and Eagle called me again.”
For those navigating their own journey of loss, or those looking to support a friend, Susan’s story is a testament to the power of reaching out.
Connect with Susan:
To learn more about the book or upcoming speaking engagements, visit SusanBWalton.com.
