Grace Thompson joins Gateway House of Peace with a deep calling to support end-of-life with grace, positivity and dignity. 

Much of Grace's career has been invested in advocating for abused and neglected children. With compassion and truth, Grace found great fulfillment supporting families struggling to maintain a safe, stable home. In positions from volunteer through Executive Director and serving on boards of directors, Grace has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. There was a bit of a detour, while Grace then spent several years running her own restaurant, a passion project of her life partner. Returning to human services, particularly focused on supporting people in the end-of-life journey, feels like home. 

Like most of us, Grace has also experienced several very personal losses, from hearing the inexplicable and frightening “she’s gone” as a young child, with the implication that questions should not be asked; to days holding the hand of her cherished godfather as he died in a sterile hospital room surrounded by medical equipment; to witnessing her life partner have an unexpected, traumatic end of life with no advance planning in place; and so many other loved ones.

Realizing that some of the darkest points in life can become our greatest gifts, Grace successfully participated in extensive training to become a Certified Doulagiver Specialist, using those experiences to grow into a greater awareness of the gift of life. As a professionally trained death doula, Grace believes that with the right Information, compassionate presence, and holistic guidance, each of us can more peacefully face the inevitable end-of-life. 

Grace is deeply committed to bringing together the people and processes that can best serve those in need of a safe, comfortable, and dignified home in which to spend their final days or weeks. With Gateway House of Peace being entirely community supported, Grace looks forward to building partnerships throughout the community. Sharing what death can teach us about life begins with the acknowledgement that death is the one thing all of us have in common. Preparing for and sharing the end-of-life journey before, during, and after, is a most profound facet of the human experience. 

Having spent quite a bit of time traveling the country on the competition BBQ circuit, Grace earned many state and national awards, and even the invitational world championship. The most memorable part of that time was experiencing the many magnificent areas and cultures across our own country. Her favorite spot, though, remains on any beach. Grace is returning to some of her own passions: gardening, yoga practice, reading good old fashioned books she can hold, and spending time in nature.