About Wendy

Wendy has been a Nurse for over 30 years.  Having worked in the medical field and caring for her elderly parents, she began to study the different aspects of End-of-Life. Wendy completed her Doula training through the “Going with Grace” Program and is a member of the National End-of Life Alliance (NEDA), is NEDA proficient, is a member of the Tucson End-of-Life Doulas, and has volunteered for Hospice. She understands that death is not a medical event. It is a social event and most people need assistance throughout the whole process, whether it is in getting their “Affairs in order”, planning a Celebration of Life or sitting Vigil to provide support or respite.  Wendy will focus on the needs of the dying person, acknowledging, validating feelings, honoring the person’s desires and lived experiences as they strive to have the most ideal death possible considering their unique circumstances. She is an organized, empathetic loving person who resides in Oracle Arizona and provides services locally as well as in the Oro Valley and Northern Tucson areas. She is married, has two children and three grandchildren. She loves to spend time with family and friends, hike, camp and read.


WENDY PROVIDES SUPPORT WITH:

  • Presence, being a good listener, witness, calming influence, nurturing, support for troubleshooting challenges.

  • Emotional support.

  • Information sharing - Education as needed and desired, non-biased and evidence-based. 

  • Proactive guidance- Anticipating needs and making a plan.

  • Resources and referrals.-Making referrals to appropriate community resources and care providers, thereby increasing access to all available services.

  • Comfort measures and physical support- Can include hands-on comfort techniques, help with positioning, visualization, use of the breath, and so on.

  • Logistical support- Can include household help, running errands, transportation to medical appointments and so on.

As an End of Life Doula, I seek to help clients reimagine death and dying by engaging in conversations about experiencing a meaningful life and a peaceful death, facilitating plans for the final stage of life and offering compassionate presence during the final months, weeks and days of life.  I believe that when possible, intentional early preparation and personal reflection paves the path for success in a person’s final days.

“You matter because you are, and you matter to the end of your life. I will do all that I can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.” Dame Cicely Saunders

I am honored and humbled to accompany you on this journey. ~ Wendy

My Family

Going with Grace Cohort- in our burial outfits. Thanks Alua Arthur!

MISSION,VISION,VALUES


Mission:  To provide compassionate care and support to individuals and families surrounding the End-of-Life process.


Vision: To be an advocate for the dying person as they strive to have the best possible death considering their unique circumstances and to provide End-of-Life education to individuals, families and communities.


Values:

  • Excellence: To achieve excellence through competency, continuous improvement and accountability

  • Integrity: To achieve integrity through strong conscience, compassion, trust, respect and dignity

  • Collaboration: To achieve collaboration by Doula working together with mutual support and recognition of the individual, family and circle of support contributions.