As featured on “Grief, Gratitude and the Gray in Between” with Kendra Rinaldi

When the unexpected happens—when life divides into the “before” and “after”—you don’t get a manual. You’re handed the weight of loss, a sea of decisions, and often, financial realities that feel overwhelming.

That was my story.

When my husband, Greg, passed away suddenly in 2013, I found myself thrown into survival mode. I was a mother, a widow, and now the sole financial decision-maker for my family. And while I had always played a role in our household finances, I quickly learned there was a vast difference between supporting financial decisions and being the one who has to make every single one of them—under duress, in the fog of grief.

That journey, though painful, led me to where I am today: helping others navigate widowhood with confidence, clarity, and dignity.

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Kendra Rinaldi on her podcast Grief, Gratitude and the Gray in Between, where we explored the intersection of grief and financial responsibility—and how we can find gratitude and even growth within the gray areas of our loss.

The Early Days: Grief, Paperwork, and “What Now?”

In the days and weeks after Greg’s passing, I was bombarded with tasks—paperwork, phone calls, financial accounts to access or transfer. All while I was still just trying to breathe. There was no time to process, only react.

Widowhood forces you into the kind of adulting no one prepares for. You become a financial advocate, a benefits coordinator, and often a legal interpreter—all at once. I made mistakes, I asked questions, and I leaned on professionals who had patience and empathy.

That’s what sparked my shift into this work. I wanted to be that trusted guide for others—to be the person who shows up with compassion and clarity when the world feels like it’s spinning.

Why Financial Planning Needs to Be Part of Grief Support

During our conversation, Kendra and I talked about how taboo it still is to discuss money, especially in times of loss. But here’s the truth: grief and finances are deeply intertwined.

Whether it’s understanding life insurance benefits, accessing retirement accounts, or simply creating a new monthly budget on a single income, financial decisions can’t be ignored after a loss. And when handled with the right support, they can become a source of empowerment.

Grief already takes so much from you—your person, your identity, your sense of safety. My goal is to help ensure it doesn’t take your future too.

“Widowhood” Isn’t the End of Your Story

Something I shared on the podcast that struck a chord with Kendra—and I hope it will with you too—is that widowhood doesn’t mean your story is over. It means you’re writing a new chapter. One you didn’t ask for, and wouldn’t have chosen, but one that can still be meaningful.

I found purpose by helping others. I retrained, became a financial advisor, and built a practice rooted in empathy and empowerment. Today, I work with widows and widowers across the country to help them take control of their finances—not just for survival, but for stability and long-term fulfillment.

We start with the basics: gathering documents, organizing accounts, understanding income and expenses. But we also dig deeper. We talk about goals, dreams that may have changed, and how to honor a lost partner while still moving forward.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If you’re in the early days of widowhood, or supporting someone who is, please hear this: You don’t have to figure it all out at once.

Start small. Take one step. Ask one question. And find someone who can walk beside you—not just for the financials, but for the emotional weight that comes with them.

There is no one right way to grieve. There is no checklist for healing. But having a plan—even a flexible one—can make all the difference in how you face this new chapter.

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Let’s Connect

If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore the free resources on my website or reach out for a conversation. Whether you’re newly widowed, years into your journey, or simply planning ahead, know that you deserve clarity and confidence in your financial life.

You’ve already survived the unthinkable. Now let’s work on helping you thrive.

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You can listen to the full episode with Kendra Rinaldi here:
🎧 Grief, Gratitude and the Gray in Between – Episode 135