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Trypheyna McShane

Trypheyna McShane (born 21 May 1952 in London, England and brought up in Ghana -West Africa) is a painter, sculptor and storyteller from Sydney, Australia. She is also co-author, with Claire Leimbach and Zenith Virago, of the book The Intimacy of Death & Dying .

The Intimacy of Death and Dying - Simple guidance to help you through http://www.amazions.com.au

A warm, reassuring and very practical book on dealing with death and dying. When someone we love dies suddenly, or after a serious illness, we're often left wondering if we could have done more. How prepared are we to care for loved ones, talk to children about death, deal with the death of young and old, and honour someone's life?

In this uplifting book, filled with people's personal stories, the authors will inspire you with their warmth, wisdom and practical suggestions, as they share dozens of ways to make the death and dying of those you love everything you'd want it to be.

Authors Claire Leimbach, Trypheyna McShane and Zenith Virago draw on their work and experiences around death and dying to bring readers an extraordinarily compassionate, practical, inspiring guide to this momentous time in our lives.

Claire Leimbach is an award-winning documentary maker and stills photographer.

Trypheyna McShane, MApSci (Social Ecology), an award-winning ecological artist, has nursed a number of loved ones through dying.

Zenith Virago, CNC, JP has been working and consulting extensively in the field of death and dying since the mid-90s.

Publisher Allen & Unwin - Inspired Living – Books about mind body spirit - ISBN: 9781741758948 Format Paperback - Number of Pages 264 - Australian Publication June 2009 http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=94&book=9781741758948

Byron Writer's Festival 17-7-09 Northern Rivers Writers Centre [info@nrwc.org.au]

Themes, concerns and issues break in waves in the publishing world and a very heartfelt theme behind several books at the Byron Bay Writers Festival 2009 is that of death and dying. Some of the finest contemporary writing focuses on these matters, but don’t feel that the relevant sessions will plunge audiences into dark pits of despair. These are topics that are universal in their relevance and their examination can bring great peace and comfort.

From a non-fiction perspective, The Intimacy of Death and Dying is a finely assembled collection of personal stories gathered from a diverse range of people, mixed with the intelligent observations of the three authors as they share ways to make the death and dying of those you love as appropriate and natural as possible. Initially inspired by author Trypheyna McShane’s extraordinary connections to a series of deaths, the book grew with the seamless collaboration of Claire Leimbach and Zenith Virago. Check the Festival program for its official launch on Sunday 9 August at the onsite Launchpad and celebrate with the writers.

"I can only say every home needs this book – it is the bible of how to prepare for death and how to make sure you make the most of living." Barbara

"This book is a major step in removing death from the taboo list and placing it on the table for open, caring and loving discussion." Alex

"…wow, this book is so beautifully written. I think I’ve cried every second chapter, but not in a depressing way, in an uplifting way. My grandfather is in a nursing home with very advanced Dementia/Alzheimer’s (to the point where last week we thought it was the end, but no, he’s rallied again) and so I have already called my mum to give her some of your tips…" Natalie

Book Review Reviewed by Carolyn Greene - The Book Warehouse

Death is a subject that both fascinates and repels us all. Headlines of death and destruction grab our attention, murder mysteries rivet us to our seats and watching real people deal with loss through tragedy on TV consumes us with empathy. But facing our own or our loved ones death is something we prefer not to think about.

The Intimacy of Death and Dying gently takes our hand and helps us open our eyes to what we do not want to see, that death comes to all of us, and that how we face our own end or that of our loved ones is just as vital to the celebration of life as welcoming a new baby into the world.

Reading the personal stories of loss in this book is confronting, and will require tissues at hand as you would expect, and yet each story uplifts and enriches as you experience the grief and wisdom the writers share. The honesty and integrity of each story shines clearly – the death of a child, a spouse, a parent, a friend, a sibling – we will all experience one or all of these things as our lives continue, and inevitably end – how did these people deal with it? How will we?

Interspersed between each generously shared story is a brief chapter imparting gentle advice on how to handle details that must be dealt with for ourselves or those we care for – such as how to organise a funeral, dealing with a hospital or overseas death or one at home. What we can do to make sure our wishes are known to the bereaved we leave behind and how we can best celebrate the lives of those we have lost.

Each story left me emotionally wrung out and yet uplifted, death is something that we all have in common, and the bravery of these contributors in sharing their own stories is to be applauded and received gratefully, for through their words we are left enriched.

The Intimacy of Death and Dying was not a book I expected to love, I picked it up reluctantly and could not put it back down – I am grateful to the authors Zenith, Claire and Trypheyna for providing readers with such a beautifully written and compassionate book of advice and wisdom that I will be referring back to many times over the coming years. Their many years of experience dealing with the bereaved and dying in a compassionate and loving way shines throughout the book.

Australia’s Good Health & Medicine a Monthly Lifestyle Magazine with a National Circulation of 70013, in it’s July 2009 edition named The Intimacy of Death & Dying one of the three best books of the month.

Oz Baby Boomers in their June Health review nominated The Intimacy of Death & Dying as Healthy Reading.