Lynne Ann DeSpelder and Albert Lee Strickland collaborated on writing projects over a number of years. The many editions of The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying could not exist without the unique combination of their talents as a teacher and a writer working together. The early decision to tape and transcribe classroom lectures with student interaction gives the book a conversational tone. The book's interdisciplinary flavor reflects the goal of covering the subject as broadly as possible. Both Lynne and Al are members of the International Work Group on Death, Dying, and Bereavement (IWG), which gives them opportunities to work closely with death-related professionals from many countries. IWG meetings are held in various countries, creating opportunities to pursue one of their favorite aspects of the study of death and dying — cultural diversity in practice and belief. In 2003, they received the Death Education Award from the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC).Lynne is an educator, author, and counselor. As a faculty member at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California, she developed and taught one of the first interdisciplinary courses on death and dying. Certified by ADEC as a death educator and as a grief counselor, Lynne was instrumental in developing the organization's Education for Certification program. In addition to producing audiovisual and print resources, she lectures both in North America and internationally to professional, corporate, and community groups. She also conducts training programs and in-service education for hospices, school districts, community organizations, and health care professionals. Al is a professional writer whose interests focused on death-related topics since the late 1970s. He is a former editor of The Forum Newsletter published by ADEC. In recent years his professional interests combined with a lifelong involvement in music, resulting in invitations to perform musical concerts centering on themes of death, dying, and bereavement, showcasing his voice and guitar, in Australia, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States. A member of the Authors Guild, he is currently at work on a novel.
