When my husband died by suicide, my world shattered. I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t have a roadmap for what to do next, how to talk to my kids, or even how to keep the lights on in the house. Everything I thought I knew about life, partnership, and security was instantly turned upside down.

At the time, I didn’t realize that this moment—this deepest pain—would also become the beginning of my life’s purpose.

The Aftermath No One Prepares You For

Grief after suicide is incredibly complex. There’s sadness, confusion, and sometimes shame. There’s the guilt that creeps in unexpectedly, the need to be strong for your kids, and the dozens of financial and legal decisions that don’t wait for you to “feel ready.”

In my conversation with Irene Weinberg on the Grief and Rebirth podcast, we talked about those early days of shock and survival. I shared what it was like to wake up every day not knowing how I would get through it—but doing it anyway, because my kids needed me. Because I needed to believe there was life after this.

I had to take over everything overnight—managing the household, the finances, and the endless paperwork. But more than that, I had to manage emotions that didn’t fit in tidy boxes. For anyone grieving a traumatic or sudden loss, you know what I mean. It’s messy. It’s not linear. And it often doesn’t get talked about honestly enough.

A Turning Point Toward Healing

Eventually, something started to shift. Not because I “got over it”—you never truly do—but because I began to realize I was capable. Capable of rebuilding. Of choosing how I wanted this next chapter of life to look. Of helping others who were walking the path I knew all too well.

That realization didn’t come with fanfare. It came quietly—through small wins, through hard conversations, and through the love and support of people who showed up when I needed them most.

As Irene and I discussed, healing is not about going back to who you were. It’s about becoming someone new—someone shaped by pain, but not defined by it. It’s about letting hope walk beside grief.

Why I Do the Work I Do Today

I never imagined I’d be in the financial planning world. But after navigating the financial chaos that followed my husband’s passing, I saw how much support widows and grieving families truly need—and how often that support doesn’t exist in a way that feels safe, empowering, or personal.

So I got licensed. I became a financial advisor. And today, I help individuals and families—especially widows—create clarity around their finances during the most confusing times of their lives.

But I don’t just help with numbers. I help with the human side of money: how to make decisions when your brain is foggy, how to talk to your kids about money when you’re grieving, and how to create a future that feels both secure and meaningful.

If You’re In It Right Now, Here’s What I Want You to Know

If you’re in the middle of grief, or navigating a major life transition, you don’t need to have it all figured out today.

You just need to take the next small step.

Ask for help. Say yes to support. Find people who won’t rush your process or offer quick fixes, but who will walk with you in the in-between.

And know this: the strength you’re searching for is already inside of you. You are more capable than you think—even if right now, all you can do is breathe and keep going.

Moving Forward, Together

I’m incredibly grateful to have shared my story on Irene Weinberg’s podcast. It’s conversations like these that remind us we’re not alone—and that while grief may change us, it can also lead us to powerful new beginnings.

If you’re looking for support or simply need someone who gets it, I’m here. Not just as a financial professional, but as someone who’s been through the darkness and found her way forward.

You can listen to the full episode here:
👉 Grief and Rebirth Podcast – Donna Kendrick