Mary Riecke

Mary Riecke is a pharmacist with over 30 years experience in hospital and retail settings. She offers complementary therapies in a private setting as a certified Healing Touch practitioner, certified Reflexologist, and Raindrop Massage Therapist.

Mary entered the realm of cancer patients and cancer survivorship when one of her children was diagnosed with cancer in 1987. Through 2½ years of treatment and, thankfully, many years of survivorship, Mary helped facilitate a local support group for children with cancer and their families. That involvement lead to 14 years of volunteer and employment with a local not-for-profit cancer agency, coordinating their children services, being an advocate for adult and children clients, coordinating programs for the agency, and the development of Camp Jenée, adult cancer survivor’s retreat that began in May 1996. In 1992 she also became involved with a local camp organization that plans and implements a program for children surviving cancer. She was on the Board of Directors of that program for 13 years as parent advisor, committee chairperson, and president of the board.

As Mary and Don developed programs for the Camp Jenée retreats, the application of the programs to anyone seeking personal growth and self care became evident. “Taking Care of Me…” workshops became retreat/personal grow workshops and presentations offered at seminars, luncheons, local, state and national conventions.

Mary’s presentations focus on self-knowledge, self-discovery, self-appreciation, and the awareness of the power of love. Mary sees challenges as opportunities. She encourages one to live life fully, treasure each moment, appreciate beauty, and share love.

Mary and Don are certified Healing Touch practitioners. They each have over 18 years experience working with Healing Touch and related concepts. The certification for Healing Touch curriculum includes the work of Barbara Brennan, Brough Joy, MD, Dolores Krieger, RN, Janet Mentgen, RN, Depok Chopra, MD, Richard Gerber, MD, Bernie Siegel, MD and many other noted professionals. Don and Mary have taught and organized various workshops on healing touch, journal writing, meditation, dreams, reflective rituals, stress management, and personal growth and development. Recognizing and honoring the importance of self care in all aspects of living (physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually), Don and Mary offer to share what they have learned from their experiences and training.

They co-own and co-direct a retreat program for adult cancer survivors, called Camp Jenée, which has been held twice a year beginning in May 1996. The entire weekend is aimed at teaching techniques of self-nurturing, stress reduction, and coping techniques such as exercises for quieting the mind, journal writing, and relaxation techniques. Click here to be taken to the Camp Jenée Website.

As a result of programs developed for Camp Jenée and other presentations in the community on personal growth and self care, the “Taking Care of Me…” workshops were born. The material presented at Camp Jenée and when working with cancer patients is applicable to all participants, regardless of their health challenges. “Taking Care of Me…” is about living life to its fullest every moment, seeing the good in challenges, having tools to help one deal with stress, anxiety and pain, personal growth, and self care!