medium*

Tonight I went to a show hosted by medium Maureen Hancock, read below to get an idea of what I was apart of. She is amazing! its something you have to see to believe. I'd recommend going to see her if you have a loved one who has passed away, its not a guarantee that she will speak to you, but honestly I got so much from listening to other peoples loved ones coming through that'd I'd even go just for that! Oh and Bring tissues too!! For more information and event schedules visit her at http://www.maureenhancock.com/ trust me it's so worth it!


Comedienne crosses over to world of life after death

Self-described ‘‘comedian medium'' Maureen Hancock communicates with the dead during a show at The Bistro at Cataldi's Restaurant in Hanson.

(DAVID GORDON/For The Patriot Ledger)
By JESSIE THUMA For The Patriot Ledger

HANSON - Maureen Hancock closed her eyes, listening to the clamor of a hundred voices of the dead.

‘‘I'm getting a B,'' she said, standing in the big, open room at The Bistro in Cataldi's Restaurant last night amidst a sellout crowd, most of whom are hoping that the self-described ‘‘comedian medium,'' will relay messages to them from loved ones who have ‘‘passed over.''

Hancock, 37, is one of a growing number of mediums and psychics who claim to be in touch with the spirit world. Riding a wave of popularity generated by television shows such as the Sci-Fi channel's ‘‘Crossing Over,'' (its on Channel 38 in the Boston area), they have tapped into a national hunger for confirmation of life after death.

Not every psychic is able to back up their claims with specific details about the spirits they channel, but Hancock's perceived ability to do just that, coupled with her experience as a stand-up comic, has earned her a devoted following of people eager to book her for ‘‘house parties'' and personal readings.

At the age of 25, Hancock broke every bone in her face in a car accident. Inside of a week, all the fractures and brain trauma had healed on their own, leaving her face unmarred. It was after that recovery that Hancock began to hear ‘‘voices and angels.''

Now she says she can focus her ‘‘second sight'' sharply enough to receive specific images, names, dates and information about those who have crossed over.

But, Hancock insisted, this isn't just a case of Aunt Mary dropping in from heaven to say hello. What makes communication from the other side valuable is the wisdom, perspective and help that the dead can offer the living.

‘‘It comes at me like cars speeding by at 70 mph,'' she tells her audience. ‘‘So, I just have to grab what I can.''

Two and a half years ago, Hancock quit her day job as litigation manager at Logan Airport and started a business, called Pathways to Healing, in Middleboro.

‘‘I'm still trying to process this,'' Hancock said of what she calls her heightened sense of intuition.
‘‘It's hard to get onto a train and tell the guy sitting next to you. ‘Hey, scooch over! Your gramma's here and there are a few things she wants to say to you!'''

But that is exactly what Hancock does at fund-raisers such as the one last night at The Bistro.
‘‘B R,'' Hancock says, staring hard at the woman seated in front of her. ‘‘A man's name. Five letters. Any December connection?''

The woman shakes her head regretfully, and Hancock, still getting a feel for the ‘‘energy'' of her audience, takes this setback in stride.

‘‘Everything is like a game show with me!'' she quips.

Suddenly, the disc jockey speaks up from behind the sound stage.

‘‘My name's Brian,'' he calls out in a loud, clear voice. ‘‘My father died in December.''

‘‘Well Brian,'' says Hancock, over the appreciative murmur of her audience. ‘‘He made it. He's in heaven playing cards.''

Brian Grow, who had expected his involvement at the fundraiser would be limited to putting together a selection of slyly funny background music that included songs like ‘‘Hello It's Me,'' and ‘‘Witchy Woman'' said it was ‘‘spooky'' that Hancock knew of his card-playing pastime.
‘‘But I'm happy,'' he said.

Most of the people who paid $25 for tickets to the event were women, a few of whom dragged along husbands, brothers, fathers or boyfriends.


Copyright 2004 The Patriot Ledger Transmitted Monday, August 30, 2004