I have always had a passion for serving and helping others, mostly through volunteering at Assisted Living Facilities and my local Hospice. These experiences, along with caring for my own parents through their final days, led me to my true calling of serving the dying. So, in 2021, I became an End of Life Doula by completing training through the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA).  

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My own personal experience with death began as my brother and I took care of our father during the last days of his fight with lung cancer. I remember being so anxious and fearful and feeling so helpless. He had symptoms that I did not understand and I had no idea what what to do or what would happen next. It would have been so helpful to have someone present to explain everything and assure me that he was not suffering. Then, about a year after my father passed, I took care of my mother during a very long battle with Melanoma. She eventually was admitted to a Hospice facility and although the care she received there was wonderful, I know she would have preferred to die at home, surrounded by the people and things she loved. At the time, I had no idea that was possible or how to make it happen. Also, during both experiences, out of fear, my loved ones and I did not discuss dying openly. Instead of avoiding discussions about the end of life, I realize now that we could have spent that time having conversations to explore their life meaning and impact and bring a feeling of completeness for a more peaceful passing. The regrets of not being better prepared or knowing how to advocate for them, along with regrets for the conversations we never had has stayed with me the last 20 years.  This is why it is my passion is to accompany the dying and their loved ones to hopefully bring more peace and sacredness to the end of life.