Dr. Tina Fornwald
President and CEO
I am a woman on a mission to help and support others navigate through grief. In March 2017, the man I loved for 32 years died unexpectedly on vacation. I have learned to live again through the love and support of family, friends, and other widows/widowers, therapy, and my faith. I am on this grief journey with you in the hope of helping you develop a life you love and not just exist.
Tina was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating high school, she enlisted in the United States Army and Retired in 2020 as Chief Warrant Officer Two. While in the army, she pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Accounting. Tina was ordained into the ministry in August 2010.
While in the army, she met her late husband, Mark W. Fornwald. Tina and Mark married and had two adult children, Catherine and Alexander. Their children were and are the heartbeats of their cherished 32 years together.
In 2015, Tina was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the love of Mark, her children, family, friends, and faith, Tina survived several operations and cancer treatments. Then, in 2017, Mark and Tina were enjoying a weekend in Delaware when Mark had a massive heart attack and died. The life Tina had come to love was suddenly turned upside down. She sought solace in God to figure out life without Mark in the following days, months, and years.
Tina began connecting with other widows and widowers to grasp insight and understanding of this challenging journey, which became instrumental to her well-being. Over the years, Tina became the person other widows and widowers sought out on how to navigate their grief.
Tina is the Founder of “Widowhood, Real Talk With Dr. Tina,” a registered 501c3 with a mission To create a safe space for candid discussions on the journey of grief while connecting the widowhood community with an extensive range of professionals, materials and support groups to foster encouragement, healing, and hope not just to live but create a life where they thrive.
As Tina learned to find her way in life, love found her again in Fred M. Jackson, whom she wed in February of 2022.
Patrick D. Thrasher, M.D
Vice President
Dr. Pat is a board-certified psychiatrist and lifelong resident of Norfolk, Virginia. After serving as a medic for 3 ½ years in the Army, including tours in Vietnam and Germany, he attended Old Dominion University, received his M.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia, and completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Thrasher’s career in adult general psychiatry in Norfolk, Virginia, spans 45 years, during which he has treated patients at many area Hospitals. His leadership roles are a testament to his capabilities. He has served as the Medical Director of the Chesapeake Community Services Board and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital’s Neuropsychiatric Unit. He served as the President of the medical staff at Tidewater Psychiatric Institute and Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center. He now provides outpatient services in his solo office, bringing his wealth of experience and leadership to his practice.
He is a founding trustee, past board chairman, and continuing trustee of Chesapeake Bay Academy, Southeastern Virginia’s only 1-12 grade school dedicated to providing individualized education to students with learning differences. He served as a Norfolk Community Services Board member for nine years. He resides in Norfolk with his wife, and in his free time, he enjoys fishing, hunting, sporting clays, woodworking, and spending time with friends and family.
Catherine R. A. Fornwald
General Board Member
In the autumn of 1995, Catherine Fornwald was born to Mark and Dr. Tina Fornwald. She grew up an energetic child with an interest in science and art.
She is often surrounded by bugs and wildlife, learning their names and habits with her father. The outdoors was no stranger to her, as she learned hunting and fishing from her father, going on frequent turkey and deer hunts.
As she got older, her interest in art grew, becoming an avid writer of poetry; she is currently working on her first poetry book.
Now at 27 years old, she lives in San Diego, California, and currently works at ROCHE /GenMark Diagnostics as a maintenance technician, assuring functionality of the assembly robots on the manufacturing lines.
Some of her special interests are traveling and learning new languages.
Chris Wissmann
General Board Member
My name is Chris Wissmann. I am a 62 yo woman, wife, mother, Nana-to-be, daughter, sister and friend. We have four grown children, a daughter-in-law, and a therapy dog, Lambeau. My favorite activities include spending time with my family, burying my feet in the sand while absorbing the majesty of the ocean’s sounds, sights, and smells, time spent with friends, walks in the woods, yummy ice cream, and colorful sunsets.
I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and, combined with my “Mom degree (experience),” was able to call myself an Independence Facilitator and serve older adults for several years. I have had the joy of walking with the young and the elderly, and I value the gifts of wonder and wisdom they can share.
As I age, I realize life is filled with loss, and our grief journey is never over. Grief and loss happen to everyone to varying degrees. I lost a childhood friend, all my Grandparents, my father-in-law, and now my family of origin is also gone. The journey never ends but changes, and I can grow and change as my new normal settles over me…change is constant. May we find the strength to celebrate the good it brings and treasure the love and lessons that are lasting through our loss.
