My Calling to This Work

I’m an end-of-life doula and aging expert trained by the International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA), VNS Hospice, and Calvary Hospital Hospice. I provide compassionate end-of-life support and practical aging guidance 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 hire an end-of-life doula or what's the difference between a doula and hospice. The truth is, I work alongside your existing care team. I enhance them with personalized support that medical settings simply can't provide.

I understand how overwhelming advance care directives and medical decisions can feel. I've sat through countless difficult conversations with families, and I know that what you often need most is someone who can listen without rushing, explain options without overwhelming you, and advocate for your wishes when you're too tired or emotional to speak up.

Whether you're supporting parents or children experiencing grief, managing caregiving stress, or trying to understand the dying process, I meet you exactly where you are. Some families need help with hospice coordination. Others want to create legacy projects. Many need someone to simply be present during the hardest moments.

I'm Here to Support You

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

Whether you're planning ahead, facing an immediate crisis, or processing grief after a loss, I'm here to help you navigate this journey with dignity and peace.