BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—What started as a deeply personal experience has turned into a meaningful new path for one Bucyrus woman, who is now working to support others through one of life’s most difficult moments.

Jillian Tuttle is currently training to become a Certified End-of-Life Doula and Care Guide, providing non-medical support to individuals and families as they navigate end-of-life decisions with more clarity, comfort, and compassion.

Her journey into this work is rooted in her own life. Tuttle grew up in a multigenerational household, where she saw firsthand what it looked like to care for aging family members while raising a child, often referred to as “sandwich caregiving.”

Photos submitted by Jillian Tuttle

After losing her mother in 2022, Tuttle and her husband moved into the family home to care for her father. That experience gave her a closer look at the realities many caregivers face, balancing daily care, medical needs, financial responsibilities, and logistics, often all at once.

She said it quickly became clear just how much families are expected to manage on their own.

“The stress on caregivers is constant and cumulative,” Tuttle said. “There are so many gaps that families are left to fill on their own.”

Even with advance planning in place, she said there were still important conversations and additional steps that could have helped ease some of the emotional, physical, and financial strain.

That perspective deepened when her father entered hospice care late last year. Around that time, she discovered The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One Through the End of Life by Suzanne B. O’Brien, which introduced her to the role of an end-of-life doula.

“It was an ‘aha’ moment,” Tuttle said. “The kind of support I wish I had as a caregiver already existed.”

She has since begun training through the Doulagivers Institute to become a Certified End-of-Life Doula, Eldercare Doula, and Care Consultant.

Tuttle has also launched her own practice, “Death and Daffodils,” a name inspired by her mother’s favorite flower. For her, daffodils represent renewal, hope, and finding light even in difficult seasons.

As part of her work, she is bringing a new community event to Bucyrus, the Good Death, Good Life Café series. Inspired by the work of Suzanne B. O’Brien and the Doulagivers Institute, the gatherings blend open conversation with education, practical tools, and supportive discussion in a welcoming, non-judgmental setting.

The first café, geared toward seniors and their caregivers, will take place Friday, April 24, at 1 p.m. at the Crawford County Council on Aging.

Attendees can expect guided conversations around life and end-of-life care, along with practical tools for planning ahead, shared experiences, and resources to support aging well. The space is designed to be welcoming and low-pressure; guests can join the discussion, ask questions, or simply listen.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Those interested can call the Crawford County Council on Aging at 419-562-3050 to reserve a spot.

Through her work, Tuttle hopes to help individuals and families better understand their options and feel more supported throughout the entire journey.

For more information or to stay updated on future events, follow Death and Daffodils on Facebook or contact Tuttle at jillian@deathanddaffodils.com