According to his Wikipedia entry, Dr. Lanza seems to be a well-qualified biologist and cell researcher. Why do these MDs grab on to quantum physics and go all loony. I am very annoyed by anyone, trained scientist, psychic fraud or otherwise, bastardizing quantum theory to sell something. It's like a psuedoscience version of the Gish gallop. The average reader isn't going to be able to sort the fact from the crap. He sounds like a Deepak Chopra wanna be. I'm also completely not surprised this was in the HuffPo.

Were the coworkers asking for money, or the woman herself? You expressed your sympathy and your support for your coworker. You don't need to do anything else. Cornering you for money with the card seems pretty crass.

If you do want to do something, you could make a donation to a group that her father would have supported (other than the church) in his name. If you want to honor him yourself, it could just go that far. It might get strange if you tell her you went out of your way, by yourself, to do this.

Loss isn't something you get over or around. You don't work through it. You just get used to it. That's something I learned from Neil Peart. Wounds heal but you never forget. I guess that sounds kind of cold, but I prefer painful truth over comforting lies. Dealing with my own recent loss that advice doesn't make it any easier. It just means that some days it's hard to get out of bed. But living is still better than the alternative.

I guess in helping others, just listen. Just "be there." It's awkward for anyone. You don't know what to say because there isn't anything you can say. Just be a good friend. Be attentive. I don't know how close you are, but be aware of the warnings for severe depression.

Be helpful if you can. You mentioned having memories of your lost loved ones. That's all she has, too. I suppose you don't want to be too blatant about it, but invite her to share her memories of laughter and tears.