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She found a list in her late husband's journal. How It helped their family move forward

Nbcwashington · · 846 words · By Rosie Colosi; TODAY
Family legacy Grief and Healing
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What to know about Family legacy

When Leslie Harter-Berg's husband Ryan died suddenly and unexpectedly of an aneurysm and a stroke, the family was on a spring break vacation in 2019 with their toddler sons.

Claims checked 21
Techniques found 2
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center67%
Right33%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

When Leslie Harter-Berg's husband Ryan died suddenly and unexpectedly of an aneurysm and a stroke, the family was on a spring break vacation in 2019 with their toddler sons.

Why it matters

"My kids were 3 and 1 at the time," Harter-Berg tells TODAY.com.

Common ground

"I knew their memories (of their dad) were going to be nonexistent or fade away." Stream NBC4 newscasts for free right here, right now.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Appeal to Pity: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/late-husbands-journal-…

psychologyDetected Techniques

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
warning
Appeal to Pity 70% confidence
Evoking sympathy to win support rather than using logical arguments.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

21 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

info Single Source 10
help Insufficient Evidence 8
check_circle Corroborated 1
verified Verified By Reference 1
schedule Pending 1
info
“When Leslie Harter-Berg's husband Ryan died suddenly and unexpectedly of an aneurysm and a stroke, the family was on a spring break vacation in 2019 with their toddler sons.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists only of Wikipedia entries about unrelated topics (country singers, Ryan Reynolds, Titanic victims) and does not contain any information regarding Leslie Harter-Berg, her husband Ryan, or the described 2019 vacation. Therefore, corroboration is impossible based on the evidence provided.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of American female country singers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_female_countr…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ryan Rodney Reynolds (born October 23, 1976) is a Canadian and American actor, entrepreneur and film producer. Known for starring in comedic and superhero films, he was the world's second-highest-paid…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Reynolds
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Sidney Leslie Goodwin (9 September 1910 – 15 April 1912) was a 19-month-old British victim of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, whose body was later recovered by the Mackay-Bennett. Unidentified until 2…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unknown_Child_(Titanic_victim)
+ 6 more evidence sources
info
“When Leslie Harter-Berg's husband Ryan died suddenly and unexpectedly of an aneurysm and a stroke, the family was on a spring break vacation in 2019 with their toddler sons.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific details regarding the cause of death (aneurysm and stroke) and the timing (spring break 2019) are found in one specific web search result. Other results mention her being widowed but do not provide these specific details.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of American female country singers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_female_countr…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ryan Rodney Reynolds (born October 23, 1976) is a Canadian and American actor, entrepreneur and film producer. Known for starring in comedic and superhero films, he was the world's second-highest-paid…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Reynolds
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Sidney Leslie Goodwin (9 September 1910 – 15 April 1912) was a 19-month-old British victim of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, whose body was later recovered by the Mackay-Bennett. Unidentified until 2…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unknown_Child_(Titanic_victim)
+ 6 more evidence sources
help
“At first, Harter-Berg and her sons Wit and Rory would spend Harter's birthday playing with LEGOs, rock climbing or skateboarding — all things that Harter, who Harter-Berg affectionately calls a "man child," loved to do.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results or Wikipedia entries to confirm the claim that Harter-Berg and her sons used to spend Harter's birthday playing LEGOs, rock climbing, or skateboarding.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — At first, Harter-Berg and her sons Wit and Rory would spend Harter's birthday playing with LEGOs, rock climbing or skateboarding — all things that Harter, who Harter-Berg affectionately calls a "man c…
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/national-international/late-h…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Leslie Harter-Berg lost her husband and became a single mom almost overnight — forcing her to find her own way through, with humor and heart. Susan Young. Thu, March 19, 2026 at 11:15 PM UTC.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/mom-2-widowed-30-du…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Leslie Harter-Berg with her late husband Ryan and their two young sons. Though a part of Ryan will always remain with Harter-Berg, in time she was able to move forward with her life.
https://www.newsweek.com/woman-finds-husband-bucket-list-aft…
info
“At first, Harter-Berg and her sons Wit and Rory would spend Harter's birthday playing with LEGOs, rock climbing or skateboarding — all things that Harter, who Harter-Berg affectionately calls a "man child," loved to do.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The detail about spending birthdays playing with LEGOs, rock climbing, and skateboarding is found in a single web search result.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — At first, Harter-Berg and her sons Wit and Rory would spend Harter's birthday playing with LEGOs, rock climbing or skateboarding — all things that Harter, who Harter-Berg affectionately calls a "man c…
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/national-international/late-h…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Leslie Harter-Berg lost her husband and became a single mom almost overnight — forcing her to find her own way through, with humor and heart. Susan Young. Thu, March 19, 2026 at 11:15 PM UTC.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/mom-2-widowed-30-du…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Leslie Harter-Berg with her late husband Ryan and their two young sons. Though a part of Ryan will always remain with Harter-Berg, in time she was able to move forward with her life.
https://www.newsweek.com/woman-finds-husband-bucket-list-aft…
info
“But then in a box of Harter's journals, she found a list he wrote in high school titled, "List of Things to Do Before Death." He had already completed a few items, including "Get married" and "Have kids."”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence consists only of Wikipedia entries about unrelated topics (IoT, actors, films) and does not contain any information regarding Harter-Berg finding a high school list titled "List of Things to Do Before Death."
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Internet of things (IoT) describes physical objects that are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems o…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_things
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Robert John Wagner Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor. He is known for starring in the television shows It Takes a Thief (1968–1970), Switch (1975–1978), and Hart to Hart (1979–1984). H…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wagner
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Rundown is a 2003 American action comedy film directed by Peter Berg and written by James Vanderbilt and R.J. Stewart from a story by Stewart. It follows an aspiring chef working as a debt collect…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rundown
+ 5 more evidence sources
info
“But then in a box of Harter's journals, she found a list he wrote in high school titled, "List of Things to Do Before Death." He had already completed a few items, including "Get married" and "Have kids."”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the existence of a bucket list is mentioned in multiple sources, the specific detail about the high school journal titled 'List of Things to Do Before Death' and the specific items 'Get married' and 'Have kids' is only present in the primary narrative source.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Internet of things (IoT) describes physical objects that are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems o…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_things
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Robert John Wagner Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor. He is known for starring in the television shows It Takes a Thief (1968–1970), Switch (1975–1978), and Hart to Hart (1979–1984). H…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wagner
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Rundown is a 2003 American action comedy film directed by Peter Berg and written by James Vanderbilt and R.J. Stewart from a story by Stewart. It follows an aspiring chef working as a debt collect…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rundown
+ 5 more evidence sources
check_circle
“Harter-Berg and her sons decided to check one thing off the list every year on Harter's birthday, March 8.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results confirm that Harter-Berg and her sons check off one item from the list every year on Ryan's birthday, March 8.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 02 She and her sons are checking items off the list yearly. 03 People are emotional at the special tribute.Leslier Harter-Berg has been documenting her and her sons going through her late husband’s 33…
https://mom.com/news/leslie-harter-berg-late-husband-bucket-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — One year, the family accomplished #26 in his life by dressing up as pirates and going out in public, and #16 by playing chess in a park. April 2, 2026 will mark the fifth year that the family has been…
https://www.upworthy.com/dad-shares-what-he-learned-about-wi…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Harter-Berg and her sons decided to check one thing off the list every year on Harter's birthday, March 8. "It's the sweetest, quirkiest list that is so Ryan," Harter-Berg says.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/late-…
help
“Harter-Berg and her sons decided to check one thing off the list every year on Harter's birthday, March 8.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results or Wikipedia entries to confirm the claim that Harter-Berg and her sons began checking off one item from the list every year on March 8th.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 02 She and her sons are checking items off the list yearly. 03 People are emotional at the special tribute.Leslier Harter-Berg has been documenting her and her sons going through her late husband’s 33…
https://mom.com/news/leslie-harter-berg-late-husband-bucket-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — One year, the family accomplished #26 in his life by dressing up as pirates and going out in public, and #16 by playing chess in a park. April 2, 2026 will mark the fifth year that the family has been…
https://www.upworthy.com/dad-shares-what-he-learned-about-wi…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Harter-Berg and her sons decided to check one thing off the list every year on Harter's birthday, March 8. "It's the sweetest, quirkiest list that is so Ryan," Harter-Berg says.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/late-…
info
“The first year the family checked off a bucket list item was 2022: "Go to a public facility dressed as a pirate."”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific item 'Go to a public facility dressed as a pirate' and the year 2022 are mentioned in the narrative, but the provided evidence for this specific claim index consists of generic dictionary/wikipedia definitions of 'family' and 'the', which are irrelevant. However, a different web search result for claim 3 mentions the pirate activity, but doesn't explicitly link it to 2022 in a way that constitutes multiple independent corroborations of the date.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States, indirectly elected to a four-year term via the Electoral College. Under the U.S. Constitution, the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_Unit…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is the definite article in English. The, or THE, may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_(disambiguation)
+ 6 more evidence sources
info
“The first year the family checked off a bucket list item was 2022: "Go to a public facility dressed as a pirate."”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence consists only of Wikipedia entries about unrelated topics (US Presidents, grammar, disambiguation) and does not contain any information regarding the family checking off the bucket list item "Go to a public facility dressed as a pirate" in 2022.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States, indirectly elected to a four-year term via the Electoral College. Under the U.S. Constitution, the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_Unit…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is the definite article in English. The, or THE, may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_(disambiguation)
+ 6 more evidence sources
info
“In 2023, the trio played chess in the park.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The detail about playing chess in the park in 2023 is mentioned in one web search result. Other results for this claim are irrelevant (e.g., YouTube videos of chess in NYC).
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Edith Ogilby Berg (born c.1868 - 1949) was the first American woman passenger on a controlled airplane flight, flown by Wilbur Wright in September 1908 and is considered a key influence in the hobble …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Ogilby_Berg
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Hart Ostheimer Berg (1865–1941) was an American-born engineer and businessman. Celebrated for his transatlantic promotion of innovative industrial products in the early twentieth century, he is best k…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hart_O._Berg
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — White Fury is a 1990 suspense action film directed by David A. Prior and starring Deke Anderson, Sean Holton, Douglas Harter, Christine Shinn and William Berg. It was produced by Kimberley Casey.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Fury
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
“In 2023, the trio played chess in the park.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results or Wikipedia entries to confirm the claim that Harter-Berg and her sons played chess in the park in 2023.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Edith Ogilby Berg (born c.1868 - 1949) was the first American woman passenger on a controlled airplane flight, flown by Wilbur Wright in September 1908 and is considered a key influence in the hobble …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Ogilby_Berg
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Hart Ostheimer Berg (1865–1941) was an American-born engineer and businessman. Celebrated for his transatlantic promotion of innovative industrial products in the early twentieth century, he is best k…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hart_O._Berg
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — White Fury is a 1990 suspense action film directed by David A. Prior and starring Deke Anderson, Sean Holton, Douglas Harter, Christine Shinn and William Berg. It was produced by Kimberley Casey.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Fury
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
“They opened up the 2024 event — "Build a 3-foot card tower" — to Harter's friends, who visited the family's Vancouver, Washington, home and ate all of Harter's favorite foods while tackling the "almost impossible" task.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results or Wikipedia entries to confirm the claim about the 2024 event involving building a 3-foot card tower in Vancouver, Washington.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 Washington House of Representatives election was held on November 5, 2024, alongside the 2024 United States elections, to elect representatives from all 98 legislative districts to the Washin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Washington_House_of_Repre…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Washington Dulles International Airport ( DUL-iss) (IATA: IAD, ICAO: KIAD, FAA LID: IAD) is the main international airport serving Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. It is located 26 …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles_International_Airport
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Six (Chinese: 六人) is a 2021 documentary film directed by Arthur Jones and produced by Luo Tong. The film chronicles the previously untold story of the six Chinese survivors of RMS Titanic, as well…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Six_(film)
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
“They opened up the 2024 event — "Build a 3-foot card tower" — to Harter's friends, who visited the family's Vancouver, Washington, home and ate all of Harter's favorite foods while tackling the "almost impossible" task.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of Coca-Cola leadership and Washington state elections, which are completely irrelevant to the claim about a card tower in Vancouver, Washington.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 Washington House of Representatives election was held on November 5, 2024, alongside the 2024 United States elections, to elect representatives from all 98 legislative districts to the Washin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Washington_House_of_Repre…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Washington Dulles International Airport ( DUL-iss) (IATA: IAD, ICAO: KIAD, FAA LID: IAD) is the main international airport serving Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. It is located 26 …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles_International_Airport
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Six (Chinese: 六人) is a 2021 documentary film directed by Arthur Jones and produced by Luo Tong. The film chronicles the previously untold story of the six Chinese survivors of RMS Titanic, as well…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Six_(film)
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
“In 2025, the family went "to an art museum to appreciate art." It was the boys' first trip to an art museum, and they viewed a Monet exhibit, sat on a bench and sketched.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results or Wikipedia entries to confirm the claim about the family visiting an art museum and viewing a Monet exhibit in 2025.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 2025 (MMXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2025th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 25th year of the 3rd millennium and the 21…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dec 14, 2025 · In 2025 numerous countries—such as the United States, Canada, and Germany—installed new national leaders, and some transitions were contentious. Several African countries experienced co…
https://www.britannica.com/topic/2025-Year-in-Review
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Yearly calendar showing months for the year 2025. Calendars – online and print friendly – for any year and month.
https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2025&country=1
info
“In 2025, the family went "to an art museum to appreciate art." It was the boys' first trip to an art museum, and they viewed a Monet exhibit, sat on a bench and sketched.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence consists of general calendar and year-in-review information for 2025, with no mention of the family's visit to an art museum or a Monet exhibit.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 2025 (MMXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2025th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 25th year of the 3rd millennium and the 21…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dec 14, 2025 · In 2025 numerous countries—such as the United States, Canada, and Germany—installed new national leaders, and some transitions were contentious. Several African countries experienced co…
https://www.britannica.com/topic/2025-Year-in-Review
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Yearly calendar showing months for the year 2025. Calendars – online and print friendly – for any year and month.
https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2025&country=1
help
“This year, the boys started piano lessons.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results or Wikipedia entries to confirm the claim that the boys started piano lessons in the year the article was written/discussed.
help
“This year, the boys started piano lessons.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this claim.
info
“Three years after Ryan died, Harter-Berg married Solomon Berg and together they welcomed son Rhys, who is now 3.”
SINGLE SOURCE
One web search result mentions that she met someone new, Sol, and married him in 2022. However, the specific detail about the son Rhys and his age is not corroborated by other sources in the provided evidence.
help
“Three years after Ryan died, Harter-Berg married Solomon Berg and together they welcomed son Rhys, who is now 3.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results or Wikipedia entries to confirm the claim about Harter-Berg marrying Solomon Berg and having a son named Rhys three years after Ryan died.
schedule
“In her new book, "You're So Strong," Harter-Berg writes about "the complication of figuring out how to continue to honor the old family, but also make space for the new family."”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.