Kim Bartlett
Hello! I’m Kim Bartlett. My husband, Justin, and I live in Nashua, New Hampshire, and I’m the proud mom of two adult daughters, Kirbie and Reegan. Branch has been part of our family’s life since 2014.
I have a Master of Social Work degree and, since 2011, have had the privilege of walking alongside people who are grieving. Much of my work has focused on families facing sudden or traumatic losses, particularly the death of someone they love by suicide. That work is close to my heart. My younger brother. and only sibling, Jon, a U.S. Marine veteran, died by suicide in 2010. We also lost my dad, David Hoffman—known to many at Branch as “Super Dave”—suddenly in 2016, and then my mom, Barb Hoffman, in 2022.
I have a Master of Social Work degree and, since 2011, have had the privilege of walking alongside people who are grieving. Much of my work has focused on families facing sudden or traumatic losses, particularly the death of someone they love by suicide. That work is close to my heart. My younger brother. and only sibling, Jon, a U.S. Marine veteran, died by suicide in 2010. We also lost my dad, David Hoffman—known to many at Branch as “Super Dave”—suddenly in 2016, and then my mom, Barb Hoffman, in 2022.
Through these losses, my faith has been a steady foundation. I’ve also been grateful for people who made room for honest conversations about grief and reminded me that we don’t have to carry it alone. For a long time, I’ve felt a nudge to bring what I’ve learned through both life and work to my church family. So when Trish approached me about starting a grief group at Branch, I felt honored, excited, and grateful. My hope is that it will be a place where people can come as they are, share as much or as little as they wish, and find connection with others who understand.
Trish Mahoney- Diefenbach
My story with Branch began almost 11 years ago. My daughter, Erin, had been diagnosed with Glioblastoma. This is an aggressive form of brain cancer and the prognosis was not good. Erin and I were both looking for a church...a community where we could feel comfortable. Shortly after joining Branch, my husband Paul (Erin’s stepdad) became ill. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. His prognosis, like Erin’s, was not good. My Dad, during this time, was diagnosed with Bone Cancer. There were times that the only constant in my life was attending Branch Church on a Sunday morning. Erin, Paul and I were all baptized at Branch. We each found great support in this community.
Then, in June 2016 I lost my daughter. She fought with every fiber of her being, but it was not to be. I focused my attention on my husband. His original prognosis was only 4 months, but I think he knew I needed him too much. We were granted one year beyond Erin before he joined Erin in heaven. A week later, my Dad joined them. Their deaths were not sudden; cancer allowed us time, but it did not prepare me for the overwhelming loss of my family. For the first time in years...actually the first time ever...I was on my own. I have felt for a long time that its important, for those experiencing the loss of a loved one, to know there is support and love surrounding them. This group is an effort to make that support a more organized forum.