A little bit more about me.

Born in Huntington, Long Island, New York, I spent my early childhood crisscrossing the eastern United States several times with my family before we settled in Cincinnati when I was 9 years old. My dad’s career at The Kroger Co. brought us here, and while my family of origin has since scattered, I’ve embraced my role as the last sibling standing in Ohio—affectionately described as “The Heart of It All.”

From a young age, I found my interests in music, writing, and public speaking. After initially pursuing music, I transitioned to broadcast journalism at Miami University. My career took me through radio, television, advertising, and public relations where I devoted 10 years working as a professional communicator. Then I devoted the next 30 years to raising my children while juggling various roles, including freelance writer, life coach, church worker, and volunteer. I later embraced the role of Life Tribute Specialist, also called a funeral celebrant, and have had the honor of preparing and performing funerals and memorials services for dozens of beautiful souls.

At 36, I faced a personal challenge when a persistent headache became a constant companion. Despite the pain, I have maintained a busy life while nurturing my family and seeking solutions. I had to set aside some things I enjoyed like singing, crafting and traveling, but recently I have found time again to pursue some pleasures like making things out papier mâché and binge-watching Downton Abbey (three times, no judgment, please!).

My journey took a significant turn when my mother began experiencing dementia and routinely getting lost in her car. This crisis was magnified for our family because Mom lived 1000 miles away from me and even farther away from my siblings. This situation further deepened my concerns about the issues facing the elder community, as I had already been supporting my mother-in-law and step-father-in-law through dementia and other health struggles. Fortunately, they lived in Cincinnati. The situation with my mother was far more complicated. And to make matters worse, just as we needed to be taking action, the COVID 19 global pandemic shut down life as we knew it. Keeping Mom safe but away from locked down assisted living communities became our goal and ultimate challenge.

Through these experiences, I became energized about raising awareness on the importance of preparing for our elder years. My mother’s journey taught me invaluable lessons, and I now share those insights through writing and speaking engagements and advocating for families to take proactive steps in their eldercare planning.

Join me as we navigate the realities of aging and honor the stories of those we love. Together, we can make this journey a little easier and more meaningful.