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Join us October 28th for our annual Moonlit Memory Walk fundraising event!
Our Team
Meet Our Death Educators
Lisa Bonneville
Death Doula Certificate Program, MAiD and the Death Doula, Parents & Guardians Death Cafe, General Death Cafe
Lisa is a death doula and hospice and bereavement counsellor, as well as a facilitator for HHA’s Death Doula and MAiD and the Death Doula Certificate Programs. She believes that communication plays a huge role in preparing for end-of-life as well as the grief that follows. She’ll talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about dying, death and everything in between.
Most of Lisa’s experience is in residential hospice but she has also worked in long-term care, funeral homes and had the privilege of caring for palliative Catholic Nuns. Many people have had a hand in supporting and guiding her along the way to where she is today, and she does her best to pass on this wisdom and knowledge in her own teaching.
Lisa is a death doula and hospice and bereavement counsellor, as well as a facilitator for HHA’s Death Doula and MAiD and the Death Doula Certificate Programs. She believes that communication plays a huge role in preparing for end-of-life as well as the grief that follows. She’ll talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about dying, death and everything in between.
Most of Lisa’s experience is in residential hospice but she has also worked in long-term care, funeral homes and had the privilege of caring for palliative Catholic Nuns. Many people have had a hand in supporting and guiding her along the way to where she is today, and she does her best to pass on this wisdom and knowledge in her own teaching.
Glen Burkholder
Infant & Pregnancy Loss Doula Certificate Program, Pre & Perinatal Hospice, Death Doula Certificate Program, Our Babies, Our Grief
Glen is a co-founder of Home Hospice Association and has been a funeral director since 1986. Originally from the Niagara Region, he moved to Toronto in 2012. He is a member of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Toronto District Funeral Directors Inc. and the Ontario Funeral Service Association. In February 2023, Glen joined the team of McKersie & Early Funeral Home in Milton, Ontario.
Glen is especially passionate about HHA’s continued education and training mission, and is deeply involved in the development and facilitation of the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula certificate programs.
A proud father of two, Glen is committed to family and community. He has volunteered with Daval Hospice, Stamford Lions Club, Big Brothers Association of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Historical Museum Cemetery Tours, Niagara Falls Block Parent Association and the Knights of Columbus. Glen also enjoys getting his hands dirty with home repairs and renovations, and some of his favorite things to do include photography, the outdoors and enjoying a country drive on his motorcycle.
Glen is a co-founder of Home Hospice Association and has been a funeral director since 1986. Originally from the Niagara Region, he moved to Toronto in 2012. He is a member of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Toronto District Funeral Directors Inc. and the Ontario Funeral Service Association. In February 2023, Glen joined the team of McKersie & Early Funeral Home in Milton, Ontario.
Glen is especially passionate about HHA’s continued education and training mission, and is deeply involved in the development and facilitation of the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula certificate programs.
A proud father of two, Glen is committed to family and community. He has volunteered with Daval Hospice, Stamford Lions Club, Big Brothers Association of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Historical Museum Cemetery Tours, Niagara Falls Block Parent Association and the Knights of Columbus. Glen also enjoys getting his hands dirty with home repairs and renovations, and some of his favorite things to do include photography, the outdoors and enjoying a country drive on his motorcycle.
Jordan Cleland
Death Doula Certificate Program, Pet Lovers Death Cafe, General Death Cafe
Jordan is a death doula, breath guide, social worker, and researcher who finds great joy in supporting people on their unique life paths. In both her professional and personal pursuits, she nurtures authentic connections and navigates through experiences with intention.Her practice is person-centered, rooted in knowing that people have the answers they seek within themselves, and she offers tools to support the revealing of those answers together. Her most poignant daily contemplation is that she too will die; and so, she asks how to live life in alignment with what’s important to her. She works with lightness and a deep humility for every individual's journey of life and death.
Jordan is a death doula, breath guide, social worker, and researcher who finds great joy in supporting people on their unique life paths. In both her professional and personal pursuits, she nurtures authentic connections and navigates through experiences with intention.Her practice is person-centered, rooted in knowing that people have the answers they seek within themselves, and she offers tools to support the revealing of those answers together. Her most poignant daily contemplation is that she too will die; and so, she asks how to live life in alignment with what’s important to her. She works with lightness and a deep humility for every individual's journey of life and death.
Molly Dutton-Kenny
Infant & Pregnancy Loss Certificate Program
Termination Subject Matter Expert
Molly is a Registered Midwife in Ontario, practicing in the GTA. With her experience and passion for working with clients through perinatal loss and abortion, particularly through a home-centered midwifery model of care, Molly brings a wealth of knowledge to HHA as our Termination Subject Matter Expert. She also teaches the section on abortion for HHA’s Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula training.
Termination Subject Matter Expert
Molly is a Registered Midwife in Ontario, practicing in the GTA. With her experience and passion for working with clients through perinatal loss and abortion, particularly through a home-centered midwifery model of care, Molly brings a wealth of knowledge to HHA as our Termination Subject Matter Expert. She also teaches the section on abortion for HHA’s Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula training.
Cari Ferguson
Death Doula Certificate Program, Infant & Pregnancy Loss Doula Certificate Program Candidate Advisor, Caregivers Death Cafe, General Death Cafe, Our Babies, Our Grief
Cari is a trainer for both the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula (ILPD) training programs, as well as being the Candidate Advisor for the IPLD Certificate Program. Additionally, Cari is HHA's communication manager and facilitates both the General Death Café as well as the Caregivers Death Café.
Cari is deeply passionate about death and grief education. She is the founder of Strong Winds Consulting, a professional bereavement service that provides insight, guidance, and companionship to those approaching their end of life as well as grief support to those in mourning.
Cari is a trainer for both the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula (ILPD) training programs, as well as being the Candidate Advisor for the IPLD Certificate Program. Additionally, Cari is HHA's communication manager and facilitates both the General Death Café as well as the Caregivers Death Café.
Cari is deeply passionate about death and grief education. She is the founder of Strong Winds Consulting, a professional bereavement service that provides insight, guidance, and companionship to those approaching their end of life as well as grief support to those in mourning.
Kayla Moryoussef
End-of-Life Care in Long Term Care (LTC Four-Point Plan), Spoonie Death Cafe
Kayla has been a death and grief worker since 2012. In 2018, she was trained and certified as a Death Doula through Home Hospice Association, where she now trains and teaches others. She works in Toronto (and everywhere - virtually!). She started her private practice, GoodDeath.ca in 2019.
Kayla believes in access to equitable end-of-life care as a universal human right, and is committed to supporting & cultivating communities equipped to better care for their dying.
Kayla has been a death and grief worker since 2012. In 2018, she was trained and certified as a Death Doula through Home Hospice Association, where she now trains and teaches others. She works in Toronto (and everywhere - virtually!). She started her private practice, GoodDeath.ca in 2019.
Kayla believes in access to equitable end-of-life care as a universal human right, and is committed to supporting & cultivating communities equipped to better care for their dying.
Julie Anne Mauno
Infant & Pregnancy Loss Doula Certificate Program
Julie-Anne Muano is a Registered Perinatal Support Worker (PNSW), a faculty member for the PNSW program at Mohawk College, an Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula (IPLD) and a Social Work student. She helped create HHA’s Our Babies, Our Grief and is part of HHA’s Death Education team for the Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula Certificate program.
She lives and works in Northeastern Ontario and is passionate about providing perinatal support to families, including infant and pregnancy loss support. Her interests include trauma-informed care, anti-oppressive practice, decolonization, perinatal grief support, and postpartum mental health and well-being.
Julie-Anne Muano is a Registered Perinatal Support Worker (PNSW), a faculty member for the PNSW program at Mohawk College, an Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula (IPLD) and a Social Work student. She helped create HHA’s Our Babies, Our Grief and is part of HHA’s Death Education team for the Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula Certificate program.
She lives and works in Northeastern Ontario and is passionate about providing perinatal support to families, including infant and pregnancy loss support. Her interests include trauma-informed care, anti-oppressive practice, decolonization, perinatal grief support, and postpartum mental health and well-being.
Terri Viola-Wilson
C.A.N.D.Y. Café program manager, Talking with Kids about Dying, Death & Grief Subject Matter Expert, Talking with Kids about Dying & Death Workshop and Certificate Program, Parents & Guardians Death Café
Terri is C.A.N.D.Y. Café's Program Manager and HHA's Subject Matter Expert for Talking with Kids about Dying, Death and Grief. She is a retired teacher with over 30 years of engaging with young people in the classroom, on sports teams, in choirs, and in social justice movements. During those years, one of her passions was helping to improve communication between her students and the adults who cared for them.
With the mental welfare of young people in mind, Terri helped develop the C.A.N.D.Y. Café program. Drawing on both her personal and professional experiences, as well as her continuing education in childhood trauma and child and youth grieving, Terri brings empathy and knowledge to everyone she encounters through C.A.N.D.Y. Café - including young people of all ages and the adults who live, work, and care for them.
Terri is C.A.N.D.Y. Café's Program Manager and HHA's Subject Matter Expert for Talking with Kids about Dying, Death and Grief. She is a retired teacher with over 30 years of engaging with young people in the classroom, on sports teams, in choirs, and in social justice movements. During those years, one of her passions was helping to improve communication between her students and the adults who cared for them.
With the mental welfare of young people in mind, Terri helped develop the C.A.N.D.Y. Café program. Drawing on both her personal and professional experiences, as well as her continuing education in childhood trauma and child and youth grieving, Terri brings empathy and knowledge to everyone she encounters through C.A.N.D.Y. Café - including young people of all ages and the adults who live, work, and care for them.
Bianca Zimperi
Death Doula Certificate Program, Advanced Care Planning Subject Matter Expert
Bianca is a lawyer and member of the Hamilton Law Association. She is also a writer and certified life & wellness coach, and the creator of the online platform @good.grieving. In her work, she hopes to educate society on providing better support to grievers while also inspiring grievers to learn to live alongside their grief. As HHA’s Advanced Care Planning Expert, Bianca is a guest speaker for the Death Doula Certificate Program. She also participates in HHA's "What would you do" nights.
Bianca is a lawyer and member of the Hamilton Law Association. She is also a writer and certified life & wellness coach, and the creator of the online platform @good.grieving. In her work, she hopes to educate society on providing better support to grievers while also inspiring grievers to learn to live alongside their grief. As HHA’s Advanced Care Planning Expert, Bianca is a guest speaker for the Death Doula Certificate Program. She also participates in HHA's "What would you do" nights.
Meet Our Facilitators
Lisa Bonneville
Death Doula Certificate Program, MAiD and the Death Doula, Parents & Guardians Death Cafe, General Death Cafe
Lisa is a death doula and hospice and bereavement counsellor, as well as a facilitator for HHA’s Death Doula and MAiD and the Death Doula Certificate Programs. She believes that communication plays a huge role in preparing for end-of-life as well as the grief that follows. She’ll talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about dying, death and everything in between.
Most of Lisa’s experience is in residential hospice but she has also worked in long-term care, funeral homes and had the privilege of caring for palliative Catholic Nuns. Many people have had a hand in supporting and guiding her along the way to where she is today, and she does her best to pass on this wisdom and knowledge in her own teaching.
Lisa is a death doula and hospice and bereavement counsellor, as well as a facilitator for HHA’s Death Doula and MAiD and the Death Doula Certificate Programs. She believes that communication plays a huge role in preparing for end-of-life as well as the grief that follows. She’ll talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about dying, death and everything in between.
Most of Lisa’s experience is in residential hospice but she has also worked in long-term care, funeral homes and had the privilege of caring for palliative Catholic Nuns. Many people have had a hand in supporting and guiding her along the way to where she is today, and she does her best to pass on this wisdom and knowledge in her own teaching.
Carol Brule
Our Babies, Our Grief, C.A.N.D.Y. Cafe,
Parents & Guardians Death Cafe
Carol is a graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where she majored in Psychology with a focus on bullying and victimization from a developmental psychopathology perspective. She has over 20 years of experience working in community health and epidemiology. For the past ten years, she has been volunteering in pediatric palliative care, grief support and visiting home hospice, working specifically with children and youth who are facing death and their families. Carole recently completed End-of-Life Doula training with Douglas College and is currently a Home Hospice Association Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula Candidate.
Carole’s favourite pastimes are running, surfing and art. She uses her passion for art to work with bereaved families to create memorial portraits, paintings, and keepsakes of their loved ones.
Parents & Guardians Death Cafe
Carol is a graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where she majored in Psychology with a focus on bullying and victimization from a developmental psychopathology perspective. She has over 20 years of experience working in community health and epidemiology. For the past ten years, she has been volunteering in pediatric palliative care, grief support and visiting home hospice, working specifically with children and youth who are facing death and their families. Carole recently completed End-of-Life Doula training with Douglas College and is currently a Home Hospice Association Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula Candidate.
Carole’s favourite pastimes are running, surfing and art. She uses her passion for art to work with bereaved families to create memorial portraits, paintings, and keepsakes of their loved ones.
Glen Burkholder
Infant & Pregnancy Loss Doula Certificate Program, Pre & Perinatal Hospice, Death Doula Certificate Program, Our Babies, Our Grief
Glen is a co-founder of Home Hospice Association and has been a funeral director since 1986. Originally from the Niagara Region, he moved to Toronto in 2012. He is a member of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Toronto District Funeral Directors Inc. and the Ontario Funeral Service Association. In February 2023, Glen joined the team of McKersie & Early Funeral Home in Milton, Ontario.
Glen is especially passionate about HHA’s continued education and training mission, and is deeply involved in the development and facilitation of the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula certificate programs.
A proud father of two, Glen is committed to family and community. He has volunteered with Daval Hospice, Stamford Lions Club, Big Brothers Association of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Historical Museum Cemetery Tours, Niagara Falls Block Parent Association and the Knights of Columbus. Glen also enjoys getting his hands dirty with home repairs and renovations, and some of his favorite things to do include photography, the outdoors and enjoying a country drive on his motorcycle.
Glen is a co-founder of Home Hospice Association and has been a funeral director since 1986. Originally from the Niagara Region, he moved to Toronto in 2012. He is a member of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Toronto District Funeral Directors Inc. and the Ontario Funeral Service Association. In February 2023, Glen joined the team of McKersie & Early Funeral Home in Milton, Ontario.
Glen is especially passionate about HHA’s continued education and training mission, and is deeply involved in the development and facilitation of the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula certificate programs.
A proud father of two, Glen is committed to family and community. He has volunteered with Daval Hospice, Stamford Lions Club, Big Brothers Association of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Historical Museum Cemetery Tours, Niagara Falls Block Parent Association and the Knights of Columbus. Glen also enjoys getting his hands dirty with home repairs and renovations, and some of his favorite things to do include photography, the outdoors and enjoying a country drive on his motorcycle.
Stephanie Byfield
Bio coming soon!
Jordan Cleland
Death Doula Certificate Program, Pet Lovers Death Cafe, General Death Cafe
Jordan is a death doula, breath guide, social worker, and researcher who finds great joy in supporting people on their unique life paths. In both her professional and personal pursuits, she nurtures authentic connections and navigates through experiences with intention.Her practice is person-centered, rooted in knowing that people have the answers they seek within themselves, and she offers tools to support the revealing of those answers together. Her most poignant daily contemplation is that she too will die; and so, she asks how to live life in alignment with what’s important to her. She works with lightness and a deep humility for every individual's journey of life and death.
Jordan is a death doula, breath guide, social worker, and researcher who finds great joy in supporting people on their unique life paths. In both her professional and personal pursuits, she nurtures authentic connections and navigates through experiences with intention.Her practice is person-centered, rooted in knowing that people have the answers they seek within themselves, and she offers tools to support the revealing of those answers together. Her most poignant daily contemplation is that she too will die; and so, she asks how to live life in alignment with what’s important to her. She works with lightness and a deep humility for every individual's journey of life and death.
Cari Ferguson
Death Doula Certificate Program, Infant & Pregnancy Loss Doula Certificate Program Candidate Advisor, Caregivers Death Cafe, General Death Cafe, Our Babies, Our Grief
Cari is a trainer for both the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula (ILPD) training programs, as well as being the Candidate Advisor for the IPLD Certificate Program. Additionally, Cari is HHA's communication manager and facilitates both the General Death Café as well as the Caregivers Death Café.
Cari is deeply passionate about death and grief education. She is the founder of Strong Winds Consulting, a professional bereavement service that provides insight, guidance, and companionship to those approaching their end of life as well as grief support to those in mourning.
Cari is a trainer for both the Death Doula and Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula (ILPD) training programs, as well as being the Candidate Advisor for the IPLD Certificate Program. Additionally, Cari is HHA's communication manager and facilitates both the General Death Café as well as the Caregivers Death Café.
Cari is deeply passionate about death and grief education. She is the founder of Strong Winds Consulting, a professional bereavement service that provides insight, guidance, and companionship to those approaching their end of life as well as grief support to those in mourning.
Jen Gillean
Our Babies, Our Grief
Jen has always been curious about the connections between mental and physical health. She received her B.Ed in Physical Education with concentrations in Gender, Religious Studies, and Psychology at McGill University in Montreal, and in 2005 began training as a Yoga teacher. When she was 200 hours along in her Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) she was sexually assaulted, after which time she found that practicing yoga opened up new possibilities and ways of feeling more connected to her body, mind and other relationships in her life.
Following completion of her YTT, Jen taught in yoga studios, YMCAs, Health Clubs, and in schools for teachers, and eventually owned her own learning Centre, which she ran for 13 years. In 2015, she began her studies in Birth Story Medicine, and has continued to learn through the mentorship of others.
As a Certified BFW Childbirth Mentor and a Full Spectrum Birth & Bereavement Doula, she is drawn to working with people going through challenging fertility- and birthing- related experiences, especially having to do with grief, trauma and/or persistent pelvic pain.
Jen has always been curious about the connections between mental and physical health. She received her B.Ed in Physical Education with concentrations in Gender, Religious Studies, and Psychology at McGill University in Montreal, and in 2005 began training as a Yoga teacher. When she was 200 hours along in her Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) she was sexually assaulted, after which time she found that practicing yoga opened up new possibilities and ways of feeling more connected to her body, mind and other relationships in her life.
Following completion of her YTT, Jen taught in yoga studios, YMCAs, Health Clubs, and in schools for teachers, and eventually owned her own learning Centre, which she ran for 13 years. In 2015, she began her studies in Birth Story Medicine, and has continued to learn through the mentorship of others.
As a Certified BFW Childbirth Mentor and a Full Spectrum Birth & Bereavement Doula, she is drawn to working with people going through challenging fertility- and birthing- related experiences, especially having to do with grief, trauma and/or persistent pelvic pain.
Melissa Krumme
C.A.N.D.Y. Café
Melissa graduated from the University of Guelph with a major in sociology and a minor in youth studies. She has a wide range of work and life experiences from teaching English internationally, working abroad and travelling the world, to working with struggling youth in group homes. Melissa is currently a child and youth outreach worker. Working with and teaching youth over the last several years has taught her that every child requires special care and catering support.
Melissa graduated from the University of Guelph with a major in sociology and a minor in youth studies. She has a wide range of work and life experiences from teaching English internationally, working abroad and travelling the world, to working with struggling youth in group homes. Melissa is currently a child and youth outreach worker. Working with and teaching youth over the last several years has taught her that every child requires special care and catering support.
Gabrielle Lahaie
Our Babies, Our Grief
Gabrielle has always had a passion for community engagement, and being a part of Our Babies, Our Grief has allowed her to participate in her community in such a meaningful way.
Gabrielle graduated from Brock University with a B.A. Hon and attended Humber College for their Funeral Service Education program. She has been active in the Death Care industry since 2019, helping families deal with loss and grief.
From Gabrielle: "It is a great honour and privilege to help people when they need it the most. Death is an unfortunate reality in every single person's life, yet we as a society shy away from talking about it. We need to break this stigma and have these hard conversations. Doing so is so freeing."
Gabrielle has always had a passion for community engagement, and being a part of Our Babies, Our Grief has allowed her to participate in her community in such a meaningful way.
Gabrielle graduated from Brock University with a B.A. Hon and attended Humber College for their Funeral Service Education program. She has been active in the Death Care industry since 2019, helping families deal with loss and grief.
From Gabrielle: "It is a great honour and privilege to help people when they need it the most. Death is an unfortunate reality in every single person's life, yet we as a society shy away from talking about it. We need to break this stigma and have these hard conversations. Doing so is so freeing."
Denise Lannay
Bio coming soon!
Marlene Morrow
Marlene Morrow, known better as Mar, has a Child and Youth Counselor background and has worked in schools as an Educational Assistant and on a Mental Health ward at a Children's Hospital as a Child and Youth Counsellor. She has also worked supporting children and adults with physical and mental disabilities and their families through respite, running a day program and operating a group home.
Her more recent passion has been educating and helping people feel comfortable talking about, and being around, dying and death, given that dying is the only guarantee we have in this life! Mar strongly believes that, if not sudden death, everyone deserves to die in the manner that they choose for themselves.
Mar is currently in the process of finishing her HHA Death Doula certification.
Her more recent passion has been educating and helping people feel comfortable talking about, and being around, dying and death, given that dying is the only guarantee we have in this life! Mar strongly believes that, if not sudden death, everyone deserves to die in the manner that they choose for themselves.
Mar is currently in the process of finishing her HHA Death Doula certification.
Kayla Moryoussef
End-of-Life Care in Long Term Care (LTC Four-Point Plan), Spoonie Death Cafe
Kayla has been a death and grief worker since 2012. In 2018, she was trained and certified as a Death Doula through Home Hospice Association, where she now trains and teaches others. She works in Toronto (and everywhere - virtually!). She started her private practice, GoodDeath.ca in 2019.
Kayla believes in access to equitable end-of-life care as a universal human right, and is committed to supporting & cultivating communities equipped to better care for their dying.
Kayla has been a death and grief worker since 2012. In 2018, she was trained and certified as a Death Doula through Home Hospice Association, where she now trains and teaches others. She works in Toronto (and everywhere - virtually!). She started her private practice, GoodDeath.ca in 2019.
Kayla believes in access to equitable end-of-life care as a universal human right, and is committed to supporting & cultivating communities equipped to better care for their dying.
Alexandra Palmer
Our Babies, Our Grief
Alexandra graduated from George Brown College with a specialist diploma in Human Services Counseling focusing on Mental Health. With over 25+ years of experience in social services, her work focuses on education, advocacy, and support. She hosts a death-positive podcast called Death Destigmatized on podbean, runs Community Death Meditations, and provides support for End-of-Life ritual design. She has spoken at The Symposium of Death and Dying, Lifting the Lid Symposium, and many smaller community events.
Alexandra is currently focusing on pregnancy and infant loss, completing her practicum for her Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula (ILPD) designation as well as the Pathway for Labour and Delivery Doula (Completion 2023). She actively volunteers with Home Hospice Association, facilitating peer-led pregnancy and infant loss support groups.
Originally from Canada, She lives in a quiet suburb in the GTA with her family. She loves books, sewing, yoga, and painting.
Alexandra graduated from George Brown College with a specialist diploma in Human Services Counseling focusing on Mental Health. With over 25+ years of experience in social services, her work focuses on education, advocacy, and support. She hosts a death-positive podcast called Death Destigmatized on podbean, runs Community Death Meditations, and provides support for End-of-Life ritual design. She has spoken at The Symposium of Death and Dying, Lifting the Lid Symposium, and many smaller community events.
Alexandra is currently focusing on pregnancy and infant loss, completing her practicum for her Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula (ILPD) designation as well as the Pathway for Labour and Delivery Doula (Completion 2023). She actively volunteers with Home Hospice Association, facilitating peer-led pregnancy and infant loss support groups.
Originally from Canada, She lives in a quiet suburb in the GTA with her family. She loves books, sewing, yoga, and painting.
Jane Ropson
Jane has a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Still in her 20s, Jane has already carved a unique path for herself in the realm of death care. She has delved deep into the intricacies of this delicate field, understanding that providing solace to those grieving is both a calling and a privilege. Jane's journey extends beyond traditional death care into the realm of empathetic end-of-life support and education. Her dedication to ensuring that individuals and their loved ones navigate this inevitable journey with understanding and grace has become a driving force in her life.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Jane is a fervent advocate for mental health. She lends her voice to destigmatizing conversations around death and mental well-being. Jane's passions also extend to the animal kingdom, where her love for animals shines brightly. Her companionship with furry friends has offered her comfort, companionship, and a reminder of the beauty of simple connections. With an alternative outward appearance that serves as an expression of her individuality, Jane boldly embraces her uniqueness and encourages others to do the same.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Jane is a fervent advocate for mental health. She lends her voice to destigmatizing conversations around death and mental well-being. Jane's passions also extend to the animal kingdom, where her love for animals shines brightly. Her companionship with furry friends has offered her comfort, companionship, and a reminder of the beauty of simple connections. With an alternative outward appearance that serves as an expression of her individuality, Jane boldly embraces her uniqueness and encourages others to do the same.
Dame Stirling
LGBTQ2S+ Death Café, Glad Day Death Café
As a Death Café facilitator, Dame Stirling is passionate about holding a safe space for people to have the conversations that never seem to have a right place or time, and is happy to be able to provide this space.
As a Death Café facilitator, Dame Stirling is passionate about holding a safe space for people to have the conversations that never seem to have a right place or time, and is happy to be able to provide this space.
Jen Thompson
Our Babies, Our Grief
Our Babies, Our Grief holds a special place in Jen's heart ever since she gave birth prematurely to 2 beautiful baby girls, Lydia Marie and Ella Ruth. Both of her babies died as a result of the premature birth, and she remembers desperately searching for support within her community and not being able to find anything. Our Babies, Our Grief was exactly what she needed back then but didn't have to help her process her grief and begin to heal, which is why she is thrilled to be able to bring this kind of support to her community now.
Our Babies, Our Grief holds a special place in Jen's heart ever since she gave birth prematurely to 2 beautiful baby girls, Lydia Marie and Ella Ruth. Both of her babies died as a result of the premature birth, and she remembers desperately searching for support within her community and not being able to find anything. Our Babies, Our Grief was exactly what she needed back then but didn't have to help her process her grief and begin to heal, which is why she is thrilled to be able to bring this kind of support to her community now.
Terri Viola-Wilson
C.A.N.D.Y. Café program manager, Talking with Kids about Dying, Death & Grief Subject Matter Expert, Talking with Kids about Dying & Death Workshop and Certificate Program, Parents & Guardians Death Café
Terri is C.A.N.D.Y. Café's Program Manager and HHA's Subject Matter Expert for Talking with Kids about Dying, Death and Grief. She is a retired teacher with over 30 years of engaging with young people in the classroom, on sports teams, in choirs, and in social justice movements. During those years, one of her passions was helping to improve communication between her students and the adults who cared for them.
With the mental welfare of young people in mind, Terri helped develop the C.A.N.D.Y. Café program. Drawing on both her personal and professional experiences, as well as her continuing education in childhood trauma and child and youth grieving, Terri brings empathy and knowledge to everyone she encounters through C.A.N.D.Y. Café - including young people of all ages and the adults who live, work, and care for them.
Terri is C.A.N.D.Y. Café's Program Manager and HHA's Subject Matter Expert for Talking with Kids about Dying, Death and Grief. She is a retired teacher with over 30 years of engaging with young people in the classroom, on sports teams, in choirs, and in social justice movements. During those years, one of her passions was helping to improve communication between her students and the adults who cared for them.
With the mental welfare of young people in mind, Terri helped develop the C.A.N.D.Y. Café program. Drawing on both her personal and professional experiences, as well as her continuing education in childhood trauma and child and youth grieving, Terri brings empathy and knowledge to everyone she encounters through C.A.N.D.Y. Café - including young people of all ages and the adults who live, work, and care for them.
Meet Our Leadership
