Swayze's widow to speak at grief event

LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The late Patrick Swayze's wife has agreed to take part in a discussion on grief at the Women's Conference 2009 in Long Beach, Calif., organizers said.

People.com noted Lisa Niemi's appearance at Tuesday's event will mark the first time she speaks publicly since Swayze's Sept. 14 death from pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.

Niemi was married to the film and television star for 34 years.

Also slated to speak at the grief, healing and resilience roundtable are Elizabeth Edwards and Susan St. James, who both lost children in accidents.

California first lady and Women's Conference host Maria Shriver, whose mother Eunice Shriver and uncle Ted Kennedy both died during the summer, is to serve as moderator of the event, People.com said.