10/28/25 Local Needs “Marking” Me for Separating From My Husband 24 Days After His Death
I separated from my husband in January 2025. He was an extreme alcoholic and our children were being harmed and in mortal danger. Nine months later he died with the official cause of death listed as chronic ethanolism.
The elders knew about our situation for years. I viewed them as the authority in this matter and avoided “worldly” interventions far too long. In the final three years I called law enforcement a number of times and he attempted rehab.
When everything came to its worst possible conclusion, they made me the villain, informing the congregation to avoid associating with me-24 days after his death-when my children and I needed support the most. I am referred to as “dirty campfire stink” in this talk.
If we weren’t JWs, my husband would be alive. Addiction is much less stigmatized, and shame exists but is more manageable outside of this abusive structure. My children would have a whole family, and possibly a healthy set of parents but for the broken, self-serving policies of the Governing Body.