Last Acts of Love

Virtual Terminal Talk
2026-07-08 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual Terminal Talk, CA, 92024, United States
Do you have a life-limiting diagnosis? Virtual Terminal Talk is a FREE group-led discussion exclusively for people living with a life-limiting diagnosis to join others in exploring the realities of dying and death. This supportive space encourages participants to share thoughts on the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying. While grief may naturally emerge, Terminal Talk does not serve as a grief support group or cater to caregivers, loved ones, or the general public.
All diagnoses are welcome! Whether you’re living with ALS, cancer, heart failure, or something else, we want you to join our group. We are a friendly place and understand the loneliness that comes with trying to make sense of our fate.
The History of Terminal Talk
Roseana Spangler-Sims invited Mel McClave to host “Terminal Talk: An Open Discussion on Dying for a Select Few.” Roseana yearned for a place where people living with an incurable diagnosis could come together to talk about their experience. In May 2025, Mel hosted the first “Terminal Talk” in person at the Vista Senior Center.
Although people wanted a virtual option, Terminal Talk remained in-person until Roseana’s death in August 2025. Consequently, Mel pivoted the in-person meeting into a virtual meeting on the same date and time. Mel learned how to host a group like Terminal Talk through her volunteer work as a Death Cafe host.
The Future
Seven people joined the first meeting of the Virtual Terminal Talk. Considering the nature of this discussion group, it’s important to invite all who qualify to participate. The bond we form transcends the limits of geography and time.
In 2026, we expanded Terminal Talk to two meetings per month. We are blessed to spend 90 minutes together twice a month.
We need your support to help Terminal Talk continue to grow. Please share this free resource with anyone who qualifies or knows someone who qualifies. This is important as the founding members succumb to their fate and are only present in spirit.
Join “Terminal Talk” – a free, confidential group for those living with a life-limiting diagnosis to openly discuss the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying.

Exclusively for patients – not caregivers, loved ones, or the general public.

"Addicted to Life" Film and Q&A
2026-07-18 13:30 - 16:00 | North University Community Library, 8821 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA, 92122, United States
“Addicted to Life” Film and Q&A
Join me on Saturday, July 18th at 1:30 PM at the North University Community Library for the exclusive screening of the compelling documentary “Addicted to Life.”
Addicted to Life (2022) tells the extraordinary true story of Marieke Vervoort, a charismatic and tough-as-nails, gold-medal-winning Belgian Paralympic champion. Facing a debilitating, chronic spinal disease, Marieke took control of her life by obtaining the legal paperwork for euthanasia (in Belgium). Paradoxically, having the legal permission to die liberated her. Freed from the fear of a painful end, she rediscovered a profound joy for life—postponing her decision for over a decade to win Paralympic Gold, travel the world, and live every remaining moment to the absolute max.
Director Pola Rapaport, a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient and award-winning filmmaker, is responsible for bringing this remarkable true story to the big screen. The film starts at 1:30 PM and runs approximately ninety minutes. After the film, Pola will join us on Zoom for a Q&A session. This event is free to attend thanks to the Hemlock Society of San Diego.
What is the Hemlock Society of San Diego?
The nonprofit end-of-life educational organization, Hemlock Society of San Diego, is dedicated to body autonomy at the end of life. For over three decades, the Hemlock Society of San Diego continues to bring together like-minded people from San Diego and beyond who are interested in end-of-life issues. Their mission is to provide the most recent, factual education about ALL end-of-life choices. They believe that education empowers informed decisions in planning for the final chapter of life.
The Hemlock Society of San Diego achieves its goals of educating the public through a variety of monthly virtual and in-person events. Six times per year, the Society facilitates free public meetings featuring guest speakers from around the world. They also offer a “Right to Die” film series every other month.
Other resources include a monthly newsletter, individual end-of-life counseling, and small discussion groups. Members have access to an online resource library. Most importantly, the Hemlock Society of San Diego supports political campaigns that support end-of-life law reform.
I volunteer for the Hemlock Society of San Diego when they host events that need extra help. My relationship with them started in 2022. We have values that align around end-of-life autonomy.

Virtual Terminal Talk
2026-07-22 11:30 - 13:00 | Virtual Terminal Talk, CA, 92024, United States
Do you have a life-limiting diagnosis? Virtual Terminal Talk is a FREE group-led discussion exclusively for people living with a life-limiting diagnosis to join others in exploring the realities of dying and death. This supportive space encourages participants to share thoughts on the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying. While grief may naturally emerge, Terminal Talk does not serve as a grief support group or cater to caregivers, loved ones, or the general public.
All diagnoses are welcome! Whether you’re living with ALS, cancer, heart failure, or something else, we want you to join our group. We are a friendly place and understand the loneliness that comes with trying to make sense of our fate.
The History of Terminal Talk
Roseana Spangler-Sims invited Melissa McClave to host “Terminal Talk: An Open Discussion on Dying for a Select Few.” Roseana yearned for a place where people living with an incurable diagnosis could come together to talk about their experience. In May 2025, Mel hosted the first “Terminal Talk” in person at the Vista Senior Center.
Although people wanted a virtual option, Terminal Talk remained in-person until Roseana’s death in August 2025. Consequently, Mel pivoted the in-person meeting into a virtual meeting on the same date and time. Mel learned how to host a group like Terminal Talk through her volunteer work as a Death Cafe host.
The Future
Seven people joined the first meeting of the Virtual Terminal Talk. Considering the nature of this discussion group, it’s important to invite all who qualify to participate. The bond we form transcends the limits of geography and time.
In 2026, we expanded Terminal Talk to two meetings per month. We are blessed to spend 90 minutes together twice a month.
We need your support to help Terminal Talk continue to grow. Please share this free resource with anyone who qualifies or knows someone who qualifies. This is important as the founding members succumb to their fate and are only present in spirit.
Join “Terminal Talk” – a free, confidential group for those living with a life-limiting diagnosis to openly discuss the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying.

Exclusively for patients – not caregivers, loved ones, or the general public.

San Diego Virtual Death Cafe
2026-07-22 18:30 - 20:00 | San Diego Virtual Death Cafe, CA, 92024, United States
The San Diego Virtual Death Cafe celebrated its 6th anniversary of continuous hosting on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Here, you will find a safe place to share your interest in the subject of dying and death. Are you looking for a safe place to share your thoughts, ask questions, and hear what others say? At this Death Cafe, we welcome all opinions and topics, provided they follow a few rules that keep the discussions safe and accessible.
The History of Death Cafes
Death Cafes are an international phenomenon. Jon Underwood founded Death Cafes in 2011 in London, England. Jon’s vision was to create a space where people could talk about death over tea and cake. The cafes welcome all perspectives. Jon knew that creating a space where people knew there was no agenda, no speakers, nor promotions created an environment that nurtured organic conversation.
After Jon died from cancer in 2017, his family and friends continued Death Cafe as a tribute to his life’s work. To this day, Death Cafes remain free to attend and free from pre-planned discussion. All Death Cafe hosts agree to host as volunteers and to follow the guidelines set by Jon.
The History of The San Diego Virtual Death Cafe
In March 2020, the state of California declared a state of emergency due to a novel human coronavirus that was highly infectious and deadly to vulnerable populations. People were required to avoid congregating in person. Schools, churches, libraries, and cafes were closed.
I received an email from Death Cafe hosts, Mits Tomita and Frank Stefano, asking if I wanted to be part of an online Death Cafe. I accepted the invitation, and we hosted our first San Diego Virtual Death Cafe in April of 2020. At first, it was difficult to navigate the technology required to host successfully. We had many hiccups and a “Zoom Bomb” or two that helped us learn how to be better hosts.
Eventually, Mits’ schedule could no longer accommodate the time and day that worked for our attendees. Frank and I continued to co-host on the fourth Wednesday of every month. In the end, Frank decided to hand me the reins, and I continue hosting to this day.

SD Oasis Death Doula Lecture and Discussion
2026-07-31 13:00 - 14:30 | San Diego Oasis Rancho Bernardo, 17170 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego, 92128, United States
“End-of-Life Reimagined: Exploring the Role of a Death Doula”
