When my husband Greg passed away suddenly in November 2013, I wasn’t prepared. No one is. One moment we were living our busy, beautiful life—raising kids, building a future—and the next, I was a widow, navigating an unimaginable new normal.

In the days that followed, I did what many grieving spouses do: I showed up. I got the kids to school. I kept the household running. I returned the casseroles and smiled politely at the “Let me know if you need anything”s.

But behind the brave face was a swirling fog of emotion and an overwhelming list of decisions I never thought I’d face alone—especially around our finances.

The Invisible Weight of Financial Grief

Grief doesn’t come with a handbook. But if it did, there would be a whole chapter on the financial realities that follow loss. From managing bills to understanding insurance to deciding whether to stay in your home—it all lands on your plate when you’re at your most emotionally depleted.

And while friends and family offered emotional support, very few people talk about the financial fallout of losing a spouse. The bank accounts that needed access. The benefits that needed claiming. The budgeting that suddenly had to work on one income. These are not just logistical tasks; they are deeply emotional, tied to memories and dreams that no longer look the same.

Finding Purpose Through the Pain

As I worked through my own grief, I realized something powerful: this financial journey was not just about surviving—it was about reclaiming control. Every step I took—learning, planning, making hard choices—helped me feel a little less like life was happening to me and more like I was slowly stepping back into the driver’s seat.

That’s when I knew I wanted to help others do the same.

I had found a new purpose: to walk alongside other widows and widowers as they face one of life’s most devastating transitions—not just emotionally, but financially.

Building a Path Forward

What started as my own healing journey became a calling. Today, I work with individuals and families who are grieving, guiding them through the first days, weeks, and months of financial decision-making after loss. Because while the grief may not disappear, the confusion and fear around money can be lessened—with the right support.

We talk about everything from:

• What to do with life insurance money
• How to adjust your financial plan when your future has changed
• Whether to keep or sell your home
• How to involve your children in financial conversations in age-appropriate ways
• And most importantly—how to take your next best step when everything feels uncertain

You’re Not Alone, and You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

If you’re in the early stages of widowhood, let me say this: you are not broken, and you are not alone.

You may feel like you’re walking through a fog, unsure of where to step next. But there is a path forward—and you don’t have to find it by yourself.

I’m here to help light the way, just as others helped me.

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If you’re looking for support as you navigate financial decisions after loss, I offer resources, community, and compassionate financial planning designed for this season of life. You don’t need to have all the answers right now—you just need someone who understands what the questions feel like.

Let’s take the next step together.