Woman Says Grief ‘Felt Suffocating’ After Husband’s Death by Suicide, but Went into ‘Survival Mode’ for Sake of 3 Kids (Exclusive)

**Mother’s Journey Through Widowhood: A Tale of Resilience and Hope**

In March 2023, Lisa Marshall’s life changed irreversibly when her husband, Alan, tragically died by suicide. As a 34-year-old mother of three from Glasgow, Scotland, Marshall was thrust into the complexities of widowhood, a role she had never anticipated. The challenges of raising three grieving children solo transformed every aspect of her life, leading her to find strength in the face of profound loss.

Marshall poignantly reflects on her early days of grief, describing a suffocating feeling, as if she were “drowning in solo parenting”. With her world shattered, she quickly realised that the demands of motherhood—school runs, making meals, and providing comfort—persisted despite her heartache. “Your whole world has been ripped apart, but the children still need feeding, care, and stability,” she shared.

As she worked through her husband’s absence, her children were navigating their own grief. Their reactions were varied, necessitating Marshall to adapt her approach to each child’s unique emotional needs, often sidelining her own feelings. She vividly recalls her youngest son, aged four, who would sob through the night, blindly seeking reassurance about his father’s absence, while her eldest son, who is autistic, expressed his grief through anger and chaos.

Sharing her family’s experiences on social media has become an avenue for raising awareness about mental health and the realities of grief in children. In a powerful video shared in March 2026, she conveyed that “grief doesn’t always show up the way people expect it to in children.” Her reflections highlight the unpredictability of grief. Moments of joy can quickly morph into despair, as laughter turns into heartbreaking questions about loss.

With the passage of time, Marshall began to recognise that her own grief had often been postponed, as her focus remained steadfast on her children. “As a parent, you inevitably put your child’s grief before your own,” she laments. It was only after nearly two years that she began to untangle her own heartache.

The common perception is that significant dates—birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays—are the hardest. Yet, for Marshall, it is the ordinary moments that pose the greatest challenge, as she shoulders the responsibilities that were once shared. “Being unwell and still having to parent because there’s no backup is overwhelming,” she admits, noting the added pressure of managing day-to-day activities alone.

The struggle intensifies when all three children require her attention simultaneously, making it difficult for Marshall to meet every need. “There are times when one child needs comforting, another has homework issues, and a third is vying for attention,” she explains. This constant juggling act brings about feelings of guilt, knowing one child is left waiting while she attends to another.

Beyond the demands of daily parenting lies the emotional weight of being the anchor for her children. Despite her own grieving process, Marshall continuously endeavours to offer stability and reassurance. “Even on days when I’m struggling myself, I need to keep things running and maintain a sense of safety for them,” she shares.

While many laud her resilience as a sign of strength, Marshall expresses that such descriptions can often obscure the reality she faces. “We are strong because we simply don’t have another choice,” she points out.

Despite the shadows cast by grief, Marshall remains resolute in her belief that it does not have to govern their lives entirely. By sharing her journey, she hopes to inspire other widows, solo parents, and families navigating loss, demonstrating that pain can coexist with hope and resilience.

“I want people to see that healing can happen alongside grief,” she states. Marshall’s experience serves as a testament that, even after tragedy, the pathway to a meaningful life is indeed possible. For those grappling with their own sorrow, she hopes her story offers a flicker of hope, reaffirming that light can break through even the darkest of times.

For anyone struggling with their mental health, help is available. Support can be sought by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org, where professional assistance is accessible 24/7.