The Motherloss Retreat
A one-day gathering for women who loved and lost their mothers
Date
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Location
Wildflower Field Studio, Unit 3
A grief that threads itself through a lifetime
Motherloss is what we are left with when we experience the death of our mother. It is a painful experience at any age, whether the loss was expected or unexpected, recent or many years ago, whether you had a loving relationship or a complicated one.
Losing your mother can feel as though you have lost a part of yourself. It can bring sadness, fear, anger, loneliness, and a deep uncertainty about where you belong in the world. Some feel the expectation from others to “be over it,” even when the pain still feels raw. Others carry it quietly, and no one would ever suspect how deeply they still long for the woman they once called Mom.
"Our grief is our love, and bears witness to the fact that our love for our Mothers existed and still remains."
Learning to Carry Love and Loss
Motherloss can feel like a hollow ache, unbearable at times. The loneliness can be overwhelming, even when we are surrounded by people. It can wear us down over the years, leaving us unsure if we will ever feel quite like ourselves again. Losing your mother is a lifelong journey where grief can stir within, from unexpected waves of sadness to spurts of gratitude for having loved so intensely. Even decades later, this grief may soften, but it remains a quiet companion that is woven into who we are and how we move through the world. Over time, we may learn to carry it with grace, but that does not mean it disappears. Grief can become a weight we have grown used to, or a part of ourselves we rarely name, yet still feel. During busy, full lives, there often comes a need to pause, to tend to what is still tender.
This retreat was lovingly created for women who are ready to explore the many layers of their grief, regardless of how much time has passed. You will find gentle wellness practices, supportive resources and opportunities to reconnect with yourself and others in a space that is loving and safe.
A space where your story is held with tenderness
This retreat is an invitation to a sacred space where self-compassion is fostered, stories are honoured, and deep healing is possible. When we share our motherloss stories with women who truly understand, something begins to soften. We feel less alone. We begin to see the ways this loss has shaped us and explore new ways to feel connected to our mothers, honouring her life, her legacy and the love she left behind.
Everything you need to know
Dates
Sunday, September 27, 2026
A full one-day experience. Please plan to attend the day in their entirety.
Location
Wildflower Field Studio, Unit 3
Full address details will be shared upon registration.
Meals & Refreshments
Breakfast, lunch & refreshments, the day
All meals and refreshments are included. Vegetarian options are available. Please advise of any additional dietary needs at registration.
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing and an open heart. A photo of your Mother is required for the Table of Remembrance; a small memento is optional. All materials, journals and pens are provided.
Who Is This For?
Women who have experienced Motherloss
This retreat is designed for those whose loss occurred two or more years ago. If you feel called to attend but do not meet this guideline, please reach out, Salvina is happy to talk with you.
Accommodation & Transportation
Accommodation and transportation are not included in the retreat fee. A curated list of nearby hotel options will be provided upon registration to help you plan your stay.
Author & Grief Educator
"These days, I think less about who I could have been. I am embracing with courage and compassion, the version of me that aligns with my highest path and purpose. I look forward to meeting you and being a part of your healing journey."
About Your Facilitator, Salvina Castiglione
As a therapist and a motherless daughter, this workshop is very special to me. I think it is important that you know that I am bringing lived experience along with my clinical skills to our time together. As such, I am sharing my own story here for you below.
My Mother died on September 4, 1981. I lay by her side as she took her last breath. At 19, I officially became a Motherless Daughter and started my first year of university the week after. I did my very best to appear fine, but inside, I was numb, and felt I belonged to no one. For many years, I struggled to witness my own grief. The numbness created a void that I filled with food, and my loneliness led me to settle, just so that I could feel loved. My grief shaped my life.
I often wonder who I might have been if my Mother had not died. I know I was someone with a life, a personality and a few dreams. But I hardly remember her. The person who was impacted by my Motherloss is the version of me that I am most familiar with. I’ve spent many years of my adult life trying to access the part of me that remembers a Mother’s love.
It all began in September of 1976 when my Mother was admitted to hospital for a routine operation. They found cancer and in that moment, everything changed. Who I was and who I may have become, didn’t matter anymore. I was 14 years old and a very sheltered girl. I was raised in a traditional Italian household and was the youngest of six kids with siblings that were much older than me. After that day, I began carrying a heavy load. A load that got heavier as the years passed and Mom’s cancer progressed until her death.
As I reflect on my journey, I have compassion for the young girl in me who longed for her Mother and carried her grief alone and in silence. At that time, there was no support or resources to validate my feelings. That has stayed with me throughout my many years in Social Work and inspired me to offer grief counselling and of course, this Motherloss workshop.
I look forward to meeting you and being a part of your healing journey.
You may be ready for this if…
- You are mourning the relationship you had with your mother, or the relationship you wished you had.
- You feel waves of grief that still take your breath away, even years later.
- You have been told you should "be over it", and you know that grief doesn't work that way.
- You carry your grief quietly, and no one would ever suspect how deeply you still hurt inside.
- You are seeking community with women who truly understand, not just sympathy, but shared experience.
- You are ready to pause, tend to what's still tender, and explore new ways of honouring your mother's legacy.
Ready to claim your place?
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