Michelle Mondia is an extraordinary human being. We deeply treasure the magic and love and total support that she brought to my family and 50 dear friends as we gathered to help my wife transition after her long and difficult struggle to survive cancer. Michele was there every step of the way, supporting us from the most practical: helping us navigate hospital doctors and administration, transporting my wife’s body to our home for a three day vigil, to the death certificate, cremation logistics, and a memorial ceremony held several weeks after the death attended by several hundred of our community.
Michelle’s most extraordinary talents as a death doula became apparent as she guided our very large and diverse group of family and friends to process our deep sorrow and grief that my wife, who was the beating heart of a large family and community, should die so young with so much life yet to live and give. Michele knows how to bring a group together through collective ceremonies both before and after the death that helped transform our pain and grief into what I can only describe as a beautiful and profound experience of the cycle of life and the collective sharing of such a momentous event. Michelle doesn’t miss a beat; she is always observing in her quiet and loving way all the complex dynamics of a group of people wrestling with the reality of death and she knows exactly how and when to give a supportive comment or hug, to sit with you silently, when to pull you aside to take care of some required logistics, and when to call the group together to touch base and lead a cathartic moment together.
It was a complicated dynamic to decide whether to bring my wife home to die or to let her transition at the hospital. The family group had different and passionate opinions on the matter and it took many hours of discussion and meetings with hospital staff and doctors. Throughout that potentially contentious process Michelle helped us look at all options and in the end make a tough decision that everyone could live with. So much gratitude and appreciation to you Michelle!