Those who no longer want to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses are free to leave, any time. They will not, and never have been shunned. Jehovah's Witnesses who practice sin, and are not repentant, or those who deliberately and maliciously disrupt the peace of the congregation will be disfellowshipped and as such will be shunned by the members of the congregation. Disfellowshipping does not have to be a permanent status.Those who show a repentant attitude and "works" of repentance will be welcomed back. The fact that this lady had been disfellowshipped for 20 years, from what I understand, means she never sought reistatement during those 20 years (!) I ask myself why?? "especially that she truly believed in God and that the organization (JW) is his tool".