AimeeJo Davis-Varela

AimeeJo was widowed in 2020 when her partner of 19 years died from a rare cancer related to her military service. Her late partner, Vanessa, was deemed terminal at the time of diagnosis, and AimeeJo had the honor of being her caregiver during her final months.

This will be AimeeJo’s fourth Camp Widow. She is honored to serve on the steering committee for this camp and to facilitate the twice-monthly Love, Sex, and Relationships After Loss Group for LGBTQ+ widows as a Soaring Spirits Regional Group Leader.

She graduated from Antioch University with a master’s degree in clinical psychology after completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in holocaust, genocide, and peace studies. She is a long-time advocate and activist for equality and access to resources for marginalized communities and the former public policy director of a mid-sized non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ+ rights.

AimeeJo lives in Ventura County where she owns Mind Your Manors, writes, organizes activities for the LGBTQ+ community, and volunteers in the LGBTQ+ and widowed communities.