Journeys Shared

In their own words.

The greatest honor of this work is the trust families place in me during their most tender hours. Here are a few of their stories.

A winding path through golden meadow grass at sunrise with footprints side by side

"My beloved Jim was living with heart disease and lung cancer when he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It was then that I began meeting regularly with Susan. She became my trusted guide on our dementia journey. Her wisdom, knowledge, and kindness helped me learn how to communicate with—and love—this 'new' Jim, while gently reminding me to care for myself as well."

Together, we traveled the long goodbye with kindness, love, and even laughter, with Susan walking beside us every step of the way. Jim died peacefully on October 9, 2025. Today, I carry both grief and joy in my heart, and I am deeply grateful for Susan's compassionate presence during one of life's most difficult journeys.

— Carey B., Milwaukee

Wildflowers growing from a pair of worn shoes

"To summarize in a few sentences the gift Susan was to us over the past 21 months of our family's cancer journey up to my husband's final hours, and his following memorial service, feels like an impossible task."

From start to finish she helped us make the necessary shifts that would pave the way for the eventual step of letting go. Susan brought gentleness, compassion, clarity, insight, wisdom, presence of mind, and tenderness of heart. She helped us hold the kind of space that allowed us to be close to one another while simultaneously preparing ourselves to let go.

Some of the most tender and meaningful memories of Timmy's final days were of watching Susan as she sat beside him or stood at his feet whispering calming and reassuring words that helped him remain present while preparing him to surrender.

Susan has been a companion to us through the thick and thin of my husband's walk with pain, cancer, and eventually his final hours and passing. These moments were nothing short of sacred. I am forever grateful to her.

— Kelly from Cascade, WI

"What you did for me and my family will not be forgotten. We have received many comments on how beautiful and powerful my son's memorial service was and you had a great deal to do with that."

Susan, your words helped bring it all together for people in a way that benefitted everyone.

It is almost impossible to understand suicide.

You accomplished exactly what I had hoped for. Thank you!

— Charlie and Family from Madison, WI

A path walking beneath a canopy of trees

"My dear friend was nearing the end of his life when he was sent home for home hospice. I knew that he needed to find peace, acceptance, comfort, and guidance through this difficult and scary time."

I reached out to Susan immediately. She was so kind to make time to come visit with all of us. Susan is an angel sent from above! The energy, compassion, guidance and wisdom she brought to us all was incredible and much needed.

Watching and experiencing Susan (a certified end of life doula) as I like to say "do her thing" with such loving grace was essential for my dear friend, his family and close friends. Susan listened, sang, prayed and brought such unimaginable calmness and energy that enabled my dear friend to pass peacefully.

— Stacy from Milwaukee, WI

"I've known Susan for 14 years. She has helped me through many physical and emotional challenges, but this was my first experience with working with Susan as an end of life doula."

My mom was a very private person, but Susan connected easily with her, helping her to feel safe and honored. My mom's peaceful passing was greatly due to Susan's respectful manner. Personally, this allowed me to have beautiful moments with mom, sharing all that was in my heart. Death no longer scared my mom or me.

I am very grateful for Susan's ability to know when to listen and when to intervene.

— Sandy from Milwaukee, WI

Two silhouetted figures on a beach at sunset with a vibrant orange and pink sky reflecting on the water

"Susan Bliffert has been a colleague and friend for more than 30 years. When my life partner entered hospice, we turned to Susan for her End-of-Life Care. We were profoundly grateful to her each step of the way."

At a time when our world was falling apart, Susan became a quiet angel of compassion who helped us move through one of life's most difficult passages with greater grace and peace. Her presence is extraordinary. She has a rare ability to tend not only to the practical needs that arise during this sacred transition, but also to the deeper emotional and spiritual experience unfolding for everyone involved. She offers gentle guidance, healing presence, wisdom, and tender companionship in a way that helps you feel held every step of the journey.

Susan is uniquely gifted at navigating this process—from the early stages of hospice through the final hours, and even beyond. She meets each moment with deep compassion, calm steadiness, and an intuitive understanding of what is needed. Before this experience, I had no idea such comprehensive and heartfelt support was even possible.

Looking back, one of the greatest gifts Susan gave us was helping transform what could have been only a time of fear and heartbreak into an experience that also held dignity, connection, love, and peace. She carried each of us through that journey with such tenderness that I will forever be grateful. I cannot imagine having walked that path without her.

— J. Ragani Buegel, Psy.D., L.Ac. from Milwaukee