Our Story
Journey Home for Empowered Living and Dying was founded by
Renee Moor, a Buddhist psychotherapist, yoga teacher and end of life doula
who experienced the death of her father and then her husband.
Renee came to realize we look to medical professionals (trained to keep us alive) to advise us at end of life. With this juxtaposition, she identified a need for services that provide the mental, emotional and practical support to not just deal with death, but to make it peaceful and perhaps even beautiful.
Journey Home’s intention is to create peaceful and
meaningful memories at end of life.
Journey Home is a registered charity operating under three directors, numerous committee members, and volunteers who support and serve our community.
Renee Moor
Founder and Executive Director
I see everything as an opportunity to either surrender or suffer, and I choose to practice the art of surrender and want to guide others in doing the same. Life's challenges and pain need not be made harder by resistance or avoidance but can be transcend into love.
I created Journey Home, my passion and purpose, a space where people can learn how to surrender and find peace and ease in the fear and heartache of change.
I grew up in the country near Dundas, where I currently reside with my daughter. I am passionate about life and want to live and love fully in all I do. I'm a certified yoga and meditation teacher, a Buddhist psychotherapist, and certified death doula.
When I am not at Journey Home creating, teaching and holding space for those dying and grieving, I enjoy training in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, spending time in nature, hanging out with my daughter, and planning trips to see my son, who lives in Florida.
I wish everyone to find the gentle grace life offers when we choose to surrender.
Chantel Boyd, Director
I reside in Toronto with my husband in an old Victorian row house in Leslieville, which I renovated with my dad before he passed away. I'm an IT professional who has worked for large technology companies, consulting firms, and the public sector. At work, I enjoy leading teams and analyzing and solving challenging situations.
For pleasure, I garden, meet with my neighbourhood yoga group, and have recently taken up tennis. I also enjoy travelling and have visited many exciting and beautiful cities worldwide. Most recently, I took our niece to Berlin and Prague, where she mastered the German rail system.
Working with Renee and Journey Home this past year has inspired me to evaluate my life intentions, which is what I'll be focusing on personally this year.
Amanda Larocque Director
I live in Hamilton and have two wonderful teenagers.
I hold a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and have many years of experience working in corporate accounting and leadership positions in accounting and operations. I love the challenge of deciphering the story that financial statements tell.
I’m a life-long learner, very passionate about learning, evolving and new adventures. Being in nature regularly is very important to me to reset, recharge & ground me, along with yoga and working out. I can be found trying all kinds of random hobbies… from curling to line dancing to stand-up paddleboarding. No sky-diving yet, but it’s definitely on the list!
I enjoy travelling, especially to places with natural beauty to be explored. I especially love the mountains. My curiosity and love of learning have been with me my whole life, and I enjoy using them to bring clarity and understanding to myself and others.
Tina Burgess Director
I'm excited to be part of this great organization. My past includes working with young children at the YMCA, radio broadcasting, and now running a dedicated team of fraud and payments analysts for a tech company focused on the travel industry.
I have picked up the skills to communicate with anyone about anything and, at the same time, consider their concerns and needs to develop a plan of action.
I am a first-generation Canadian, born to Danish parents who immigrated in the mid-60s. I have spoken two languages from day one and haven't stopped talking since.
Bre Pietracupa Community Outreach Coordinator
With a background in paramedics, I have always had a passion for helping my community and serving to support others in a time of need.
I am working towards becoming a certified Death Doula and Reiki Practitioner, and I have found immense healing and connection in both these pursuits.
I share my life with my husband, and I have two exceptional children with whom I love spending time and who open up to the full expansion of life through my work at Journey Home.
I love nature, gardening, tending to my chickens, and getting back to basics when it comes to lifestyle. I enjoy serving others, and being part of Journey Home's mission to create an empowered life and death is extremely rewarding.
I hope to help others embrace life fully so they can create beautiful memories at the end of life.
Aisha Blondeau Special Event Coordinator
Bonjour!
I pride myself in being a “Jack of all trades, master of none,” dabbling in various industries from entertainment to languages and marketing to education.
Bilingual and a firecracker, I love change and thrive in bustling, dynamic environments. An avid rom-com reader, runner and yoga enthusiast,
I am a very proud mother to a beautiful 9-year-old comedian of a boy. We are big fans of football and love attending live sporting events.
Learning about new topics and participating in pilot projects are both ventures I particularly enjoy; I am thrilled to be joining the Journey Home team. Au plaisir!
Lori Lawson Committee Member
I am a social worker (MSW) with 34 years of experience in the social services, health, and academic fields.
Throughout my career, I have been passionate about helping seniors and their caregivers with planning and care transitions.
I have three adult children and reside with my husband in West Hamilton. My interests include travelling and yoga. Some of my favourite places to travel to were Croatia, Italy, Scotland, and Denmark.
I am pleased to be involved with ’Journey Home’ because it offers a compassionate and supportive environment where individuals can talk openly about death, dying, and grief.
Brittney Doucet Committee Member
I currently live and work in downtown Hamilton, but I'm originally from Toronto.
I've worked as an admin assistant for 12 years, starting in a steel warehouse in Brampton and currently as one of the administrative assistants in an accounting firm downtown.
Some of my hobbies include crocheting/knitting, reading, cooking, and taking care of my indoor plants and cats. I also really enjoy yoga.
I have just completed my breathwork teacher training as well as my first degree in Reiki. I'm excited to offer my services to the community.
I haven't had the opportunity to travel very much, however, my bucket list is huge.
