Our Doulas

I am an end of life doula, home funeral guide and hospice volunteer with over two decades of experience. After a teaching career in biology and English, I became involved in Buddhism and hospice work. As a natural outgrowth of both, I joined the grassroots movement supporting families caring for their own at death, and co-founded Threshold Support Circle in Baltimore, MD to support families and provide public education about natural death care. I trained as a home funeral guide with Final Passages and Sacred Crossings and as doula with INELDA. I am a graduate of the Metta Institute for End of Life Professionals and a certified Advance Care Planning facilitator. I am a member of National End of Life Alliance (NEDA), the Green Burial Council and the NHPCO Doula Grief Support Program. I joined Dying in Grace Doulas and became a volunteer at Hospice of Santa Barbara after moving to California. I enjoy time with family, hiking, gardening, art and reading. (she, her, hers)

I am a Registered Nurse with 35 years of nursing experience prior to my retirement. After moving to Santa Barbara 10 years ago, I volunteered with VNA Health/Hospice Care for several years. In early 2022, I completed my end of life doula training through INELDA and look forward to serving the community as a volunteer doula. Family time (husband, 3 children and 4 grandchildren) is a priority to me, while practicing yoga and walking near the beach help fuel my soul. (she, her, hers)

I currently volunteer my time as a doula to expand my awareness and understanding of life, death and dying to inform my therapeutic practice. I am passionate about talking with others about the sacred journey that lies ahead for us all; and to be of service in the best way possible to the dying person and their loved ones. I am a proud member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) End of Life Doula Covid Grief Project, where I volunteer to provide grief support to clients virtually. I also am trained in Advanced Health Care Planning. (she, her, hers)

I am an INELDA trained end of life doula and also a Patient Care Volunteer with Hospice of Santa Barbara, both since 2021. I was called to being a doula by a desire to create and hold space for people as they move towards the end of their lives. I bring caring, compassion and respect. In my family, I am known as the daughter with the clipboard. I am good at listening and gathering information; I can sit with it or take action when appropriate. Professionally, I work as a tour guide. A personal strength is enhancing my guests’ experience. I bring that same sense of service and awareness to my doula practice. I enjoy family time and love being a grandma. Each and every day, I am so grateful to call Santa Barbara my home for over 40 years. I have committed practices to Nia and Yoga. (she, her, hers)

I obtained my counseling degree in 2006 from te HOLOS Institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to my change in occupation, I obtained a degree in education, working for twelve years as a pre-school teacher. I have been an end of life doula following my 2017 INELDA) training. I also received schooling in bereavement. In addition to my work with Dying in Grace, I am a Hospice of Santa Barbara volunteer and trained in Advanced Care Planning by the Alliance and Hospice of Santa Barbara. As an end of life doula, I am a team member of the NHPCO End of Life Doula Covid Grief Support Program in which Dying in Grace Doulas volunteer to support clients across the country. Bilingual in Spanish and English, I am passionate about the help I provide to my clients. (she, her, hers)

I have been working with death and dying for most of my adult life. My full bio is available on this website. I have been trained by INELDA and graduated from the Metta Institute for End of Life Professionals, the Center for Living and Dying and the University of Santa Monica. I also hold a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in Family and Community Education. I am a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) End of Life Doula Council and manage the Grief Support Program in which the Dying in Grace Doulas volunteer to support clients across the country. I am trained as an Advanced Care Planning facilitator. I am an international speaker and educator. I am also an ordained minister and serve as a volunteer chaplain for the Santa Barbara City Fire Department. Originally from the NYC area, I have lived in Santa Barbara 30 years. I share a home with my husband and animals and enjoy nature, music, family and friends. (she, her, hers)

I am a retired RN with close to 50 years of nursing experience, 17 years spent in hospice work. I am bilingual and speak English and Spanish. I have personally attended over 200 home deaths when I worked with Hospice of Santa Barbara, Inc. and witnessed countless more deaths when I worked in the CCU at a local hospital for 7 years. I graduated from the Metta Institute for End of Life Professionals and was trained by INELDA as a doula. I am licensed officiant able to perform memorials. I am a certified Labyrinth Facilitator as well as a Laughter Leader. I am actively involved with several local nonprofit boards as well as my church. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother. (she, her, hers)