My Calling to This Work

I’m an Aging Guide and End-of-Life Doula trained by the International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA), VNS Hospice, and Calvary Hospital Hospice. I provide compassionate and practical aging and end-of-life support to individuals and families throughout Manhattan (including hospice and palliative care patients residing at Mary Manning Walsh Home), as well as to clients across the greater New York City metropolitan area.

As an end-of-life doula – also known as a death doula or death midwife – I offer personalized guidance, education, and emotional support tailored to your unique needs and your family’s circumstances. My approach ensures your wishes, values, and dignity are always honored.

I approach each relationship with deep empathy, creating an environment where dignity, peace, and meaningful connections can flourish even in life’s most challenging moments. By fostering compassionate conversations around aging, dying, and grief, I help transform uncertainty into opportunities for reflection, love, connection, and closure.

My Professional Journey

Prior to becoming an End-of-Life Doula, I founded LaLa Lunchbox, a best-selling family meal-planning app that connected me to thousands of families managing daily life's complexities. I also spent eight years working with underserved communities at NYC Health + Hospitals, where I learned to navigate healthcare systems while keeping families at the center of every decision.

These experiences taught me that whether someone is planning lunches for the week or facing a terminal illness diagnosis, families need practical support combined with genuine understanding. They need someone who can translate complex information into manageable steps while honoring what matters most to them.

I hold degrees from Columbia University and Northwestern University, and serve on the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New York. I live in Manhattan with my husband, three children, and Pookie, the beloved dog of my late friend, Andy, whose story continues to inspire my work every day.

How I Work With Families

Many families ask me when to reach out or what's the difference between a doula and hospice. The truth is, I work alongside your existing care team, complementing medical care with personalized human support that clinical settings can’t always provide.

I understand how overwhelming planning, directives, and medical choices can feel. I’ve sat through countless difficult conversations and know that what’s often needed most is someone who can listen without rushing, clarify options without overwhelming, and advocate for your wishes when you’re exhausted or uncertain.

Whether you’re supporting aging parents, coping with illness, navigating hospice, or managing grief, I meet you exactly where you are. Some families need help with coordination; others want to create legacy projects. Many simply need presence and steadiness through difficult moments.

I'm Here to Support You

People often tell me they wish they’d known about aging support and end-of-life doulas sooner. They say it would have changed how they approached a loved one’s illness or their own planning. I remind them: it’s never too late to begin these conversations or to get the support you need.

Whether you’re planning ahead, facing a health crisis, or processing loss, I’m here to help you navigate this journey with clarity, dignity, and peace.