Work is my “love language” to the world. I feel fortunate to be able to share what I’ve learned to make death easier for you.
I’ve worked in end-of-life care for 25 years as a hospice volunteer, nurse case manager, administrator, death doula and MAID Bedside Attendant.
I don’t view death as a medical event, but as the social, emotional, and spiritual event that it is.
Marci Donaldson
Cell: 808-756-6586
Email: MarciDonaldson@EndOfLifeAdvocacyAndCare.Org
Listen to my podcast interview:
EXCELLENTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marci supported my mom and I through her dying process and I can't imagine going through that without her by our side, at our backs, and in our hearts. Being with Marci and in her loving care is an experience that feels hard to express completely because there are few words that can capture the depth and breadth of love, compassion and commitment that she embodies.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marci gave me encouragement, inspiration and hope to honor my dad’s end of life wishes. She listened, cared, and gave me resources to help guide our family’s journey. Thank you Marci for motivating me to continue to advocate for my dad … and not to give up when faced with difficult barriers. It’s hard to know when to accept and when to push, and Marci gave the wisdom I needed.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marci is a rare changemaker—someone who generates love and steadiness simply by being present. She embodies everything true, humane, and skillful about end-of-life care. Her knowledge of pain control and the dying process is both deep and expansive, and she meets people exactly where they are with exquisite attunement. Watching her work is remarkable: she holds complex family dynamics and difficult conversations with grace, ensuring every voice is heard, every emotion honored, and every next step guided by wise, grounded judgment. Her bedside presence is the most powerful, gentle, and quietly joyful care I have ever witnessed. She is a straight shooter when clarity is needed, and just as easily brings warmth, laughter, and light into a room—her joy and hugs, when offered, feel like stars falling into place. She treats every person with the same equanimity and respect, regardless of background or circumstance, and her understanding of death as a non-medical, profoundly human event opens the door to real conversations—sometimes hard, often beautiful, always honest. Wise and witty in equal measure, Marci is the person I would choose, without hesitation, to accompany me or anyone I love at the end of life. A trusted friend and colleague, she leaves every individual and family feeling deeply listened to, more understood, and enriched by what they’ve learned. She has accompanied hundreds through death, holding space for its complexity, emotion, beauty, joy, and transcendence. Five stars doesn’t begin to cover it.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marci was so helpful to my family while we experienced the hardest thing my mom, dad, brother, sister in law and I had ever been through. Marci helped us navigate the very complicated, extremely emotional challenges that come with planning my mom’s care at the very end of her life, up to her last breath. Marci answered all of questions, helped us plan and helped us with all the last minute things that come up that need attention that we never anticipated. She’s kind, knowledgeable, comforting- so thankful for her. She was with us all through the very sad planning time time and literally by our sides up to the end of our mom’s life. Lee PearcePosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. To have someone stand by your side at such a vulnerable time is a. gift. Marci is present, kind, and medically trained. She provides care, direction, and is the glue that holds it all together. I would highly recommend her services.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marci brings a skillful, energetic, creative, sensitive, and deeply practical approach to every opportunity, every passage. Since 2019, as founding working board members of a unique 12 bed end of life care operation, I’ve been fortunate to work with Marci in various roles. I look forward to supporting the beauty she nurtures, one story at a time.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marci was an incredible caretaker, confidant, and source of comfort for my mom during her time at Hopewell House. From the very beginning, she treated our family with extraordinary kindness and generosity. While we were visiting Portland, Marci took us on short excursions, helped us navigate the area, and even generously allowed us to use her car when she was not there. Most importantly, she was deeply attentive to my mom’s needs and well-being. Marci anticipated what was needed, made thoughtful plans for our family, and carried them out seamlessly and with grace. No request ever felt like a burden to her, no matter how inconvenient it may have been on a personal level. During one of the most difficult times in our lives, Marci’s compassion, reliability, and presence made an immeasurable difference. I am profoundly grateful for her care and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking a death doula who truly leads with empathy and heart.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The support that Marci provided for our family during my mother-in-law's terminal illness was irreplaceable. We relied on Marci's extensive knowledge of MAID, her skill at navigating the healthcare/hospice system, and her connections with other caregivers/doulas/providers here in Portland to create a peaceful, comfortable, and meaningful end of life for my mother-in-law as her disease rapidly progressed. Throughout this process, it was so easy to talk to Marci about everything we needed help with: logistics, medical advocacy, caregiver emotions, practical day-to-day concerns, rituals, and all the other things that go into caring for the whole person and the whole family. Marci's energy, knowledge, and experience were exactly what we needed, and her wonderful personality was a pleasure to have with us during this challenging time.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marci was an incredible resource and support through the end of life process for my mom, who had ALS. Her disease progression was fast, and without Marci's help, she would not have received the care and the dignified and peaceful death that she deserved. Marci is extremely well connected, knowledgeable, resourceful, and incredibly kind. She brings a warm, confident presence (and a good sense of humor, too!).Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marci listens deeply to what is articulated as a need, desire, or dream; asks insightful questions to draw one out; is quickly responsive and creative in planning activities, outings and events; is patient and even-keeled; draws on a broad base of knowledge and experience; is genuinely loving, caring and generous in her work with care-recipients and families, sometimes precipitating tears; is hilarious and a lot of fun, many times contributing to hearty laughter in time spent together. Marci is the best of the best!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more