We were lucky to catch up with RoseAnn Simeone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, RoseAnn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

In December of 2014 I received an email from a dear friend who had just attended Henry Fesko-Weiss’ class and had invited myself and 20 others for a weekend workshop with Henry. Once I read the email describing what an end-of-life doula was I knew this was something I was called to do. After my husband died of cancer I felt there was so much more that I could have done to advocate more for his quality of life and prepare better. Which is why when the invitation came to train as a doula I knew this was the missing link to what I was feeling when my husband died.

RoseAnn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

RoseAnn is a Certified Grief Educator, Grief Movement Therapy Coach, Certified End of Life Doula (Inelda), a Certified EFT Practitioner (EFTi) as well as a Registered Medical Assistant (AMT).

RoseAnn has traveled the painful road of grief through the losses of a son to fentanyl poisoning, step-son who died by suicide, a husband who died from Pancreatic Cancer, ex-husband of a heart attack, mother, father, dear mother-in-law as well as experienced other forms of grief like pet loss, divorce, etc. RoseAnn supports those in all stages of grief from anticipatory to long term grief. RoseAnn volunteers countless hours to what she calls “working the streets” going out to local stores with her therapy dog, Theodore, and opening up the conversation; as well as helping kids who have lost a loved one assisting them as they puddle jump through their grief. Pet loss is real and she loves supporting them in their grief bringing a sense of normalcy to what they are feeling. RoseAnn also volunteers her time as a Mentor Angel for Imerman Angels supporting those with cancer as well as their loved ones.

Death is one of life’s most difficult transitions for the patient, their family and friends. We live in a society that views death with much resistance and fear. As an End Of Life Doula I provide a safe and sacred space as well as compassion and support during the end of life process and thereafter.
What is an End Of Life Doula ? We are people who help the dying and their families as death approaches and at times years prior to the onset of the journey home. Doulas create legacy projects of the dying by exploring and honoring the meaning of their life by creating documents, video, audio or other creative means to showcase their life story. We also create a vigil plan so the individual can write the ending to their story exactly as they would want. How would you like those final days and hours to be? Who would you want to be by your side? Doulas will be their during the final days and hours to create and carry out the personal vigil that was requested. We provide emotional support, companionship, respite to all, and so much more guiding everyone’s path while transitioning from life to death and into grief and beyond. As an End Of Life Doula we build relationships for what many see as the most difficult of times.

The dying process although amazingly sad is also the most meaningful experience you can have with a loved one.

RoseAnn provides individual and group sessions guiding you in your healing process. RoseAnn creates legacy projects as well as a vigil plan for the final days of life specifically designed by and for the client as they write the perfect ending to their life story. She provides respite and companionship for the family guiding their path through the transition from life to death and into grief and beyond. RoseAnn is also a Holy Fire Advanced Reiki Master/Teacher. RoseAnn volunteers her time as a Mentor Angel for Imerman Angels and works with clients of all ages on grief, anxiety, worry, fears, trauma, as well as cancer patients and provides guidance in self care techniques. Please email [email protected] or call 631-921-0385 for an individual session or to join a group session.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2007 my ex-husband died suddenly of a heart attack and three months later my dad passed away from a stroke. In January of 2008 my beloved husband was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and succumbed to the cancer in March of 2009 following extensive surgeries and chemo/radiation treatments that debilitated him and his quality of life. Upon returning to work, a job that I truly loved, I was laid off due to downsizing. As that door closed I received a call to do some volunteer work for a youth program in honor of my late husband. I devoted the next few years of my life to volunteer work and prayer to continue this very hard journey not only for myself, but for my four teenage children who lost their dad and stepdad and were navigating life without their dads. I was introduced to Doula work from a dear friend and trained to become Certified as an End of Life Doula as I felt this was the support I was missing as my husband was going through his cancer. I started volunteering my time with those with end of life diagnoses or families whose loved one was just put in Hospice. I also volunteered at Parker Jewish in New York, one of the first hospitals to bring this program to implement to their palliative care and hospice patients and families. I wanted to further my medical education in order to work more closely with cancer physicians and oncologists to assist their patients. It lead me to a career working with the elderly and disabled supporting them in their journey. When my step son died by suicide I started working with parents dealing with grief, loss of a loved one and moved further into the realm of becoming a Grief Educator/Coach when my son died suddenly from Fentanyl Poisoning. I volunteer my time with parents and loved ones who lost to Fentanyl Poisoning as well as the Specific Loss Group with David Kessler online. My journey was not an easy one, however with the power of prayer and God my suffering turned into helping others in their most difficult journey. No matter what religion a person is when I ask “do you think you want to pray” they never say no!!!

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

My success really is just on listening and not offering advice; creating a safe place to talk or not talk, to sit with and not say a word, just knowing that I am there brings them comfort and a sense of peace. I offer suggestions to assist with whatever they are going through and follow up to make sure they are in a good place for the moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.guidingyourpathllc.com
• Instagram: guidingyourpathllc
• Facebook: Guidng your path LLC

Image Credits

RoseAnn Simeone