My name is Janet Pace and I feel compelled to share how Katie Duncan with Death Care Coach helped me through an incredibly difficult situation as my almost 88 year old mother with severe dementia was in her last months.

Katie changed the trajectory of how I viewed the grieving process. My mom was with Hospice while at her dementia care facility and although I found my mom to be well cared for, my communication with hospice was quite disjointed. I had the need for a more direct understanding of the death process, expectations I should or should not have along the way, and ways to control and even access my feelings – as they became “stuck” (which was truly upsetting for me).

This is when my daughter, a medical doctor, suggested I reach out to Katie Duncan with Death Care Coach – she mentioned that when her husband’s family was dealing with the passing of a loved one, they’d engaged the services of Katie and she’d been a tremendous help.

Katie made me feel heard, seen and understood in the kindest and gentlest way.

To begin with, Katie was truly interested and emphasized the importance of understanding my/(our family’s) back story. She was compassionate and really “got” the burden placed upon me when I explained that I’d been the primary caretaker and decision maker for my mom upon my father’s sudden untimely death 6 years prior.

Katie allowed me to begin the mourning process well before my mom eventually passed and perhaps more importantly, Katie emphasized that it was okay for me to feel relief and grief simultaneously. Weirdly, I needed someone to tell me that was okay.

I cannot explain the tremendous immediate sense of peace that I felt after first speaking with Katie. Tears escaped - tears that I’d somehow suppressed for so long in my effort to remain strong as the prematurely appointed matriarch of our family. The epiphany of being allowed to feel a sense of calm came in a moment of finally feeling that I, the consummate caretaker, was being taken care of. That is the gift that Katie carries and shares, the gift that Katie gave to me; Katie took gentle care of my heart.

Katie allows and encourages you, the grieving family member, to feel.

- Janet Pace

When my stepdad was diagnosed with brain cancer, Katie was there to answer specific questions about his physical and emotional health so that I could be a better advocate in the hospital and eventually hospice, not only for him, but for my mother who was caring for him. 

Katie is kind, compassionate and extremely knowledgeable about the dying process. 

As we realized he was dying, she gave us the best piece of advice I’ve ever received. 

It was a very difficult process and continues to be and Katie understands that better than anyone. 

-Kimmy G.

 "Katie unconditionally provide us with guidance and advice to each family member in a very loving and patient fashion. She was truly involved in the process that each family member was experiencing and helped to navigate the process making it easier for each one of us. She was kind and friendly, nevertheless she was honest and straight forward, and never tried to sugar coat the bad news. Her honesty and sincerity was highly appreciated by my family, even when the news was not that good.

Katie was always there for us. She is very proactive with her communication, checking on every family member on a regular basis. The times we tried to reach her, she always responded in a timely manner, providing support and valuable information to take care of the issue at hand. She over delivered every time. The value she provided to my family is above and beyond. I can say without question that my family would have never gotten through this challenging experience with such grace, compassion and determination without Katie's support. Since meeting Katie, she has impressed me with her authenticity, love for life and honesty. I knew that she was the right person to support my family. 

I will say that she supported us at two different levels. One, the advice and guidance related to caregiving that she provided to my wife, who was on the front line, dealing with a situation like this for the first time, in a different country, away from her support system, it adds on an overwhelming level of uncertainty. With Katie's guidance not only was my wife able to provide the best care and comfort that was possible to her mom, but also, help her to navigate this situation with confidence, knowledge and resilience. Two, as humans we cannot divert our emotions and the sadness that comes with the difficult situation of witnessing the process of losing a beloved one. Katie was a source of light, she helped us to understand what to expect and how to manage it, with honor, love and respect. She is not shy to share her knowledge and experience in benefit of the well being of the family she is assisting, she always got the right word at the right time.  

There was a specific moment in time when my wife was overwhelmed and desperate, not getting the answers she was looking for from the local care team at her disposal. She contacted Katie, and with her guidance not only was she able to ask the right questions, but also request (and I would say demand….) the right actions that were necessary at the time. This was a game changer for my wife. She was more confident with what needed to be done and what was coming.

In another moment, when the end was getting closer and sadness and despair was inevitable, I asked for Katie advice on several matters, including how to support my wife, how to communicate with the kids, how to face the circumstances myself, and every time I got an answer that not only helped me, but with creative ideas she turned a problem into a magical experience.... and brought peace to each one of us. 

I would absolutely work with Katie again, having her at my side in such a difficult circumstances is a blessing. I truly wish that more and more families could benefit from what Katie does. It alleviated the road for my family, and I hope more families could get the same relief and help that we got." 

- Marco C.