About Laura
Laura Kandell, RN MSW — End of Life Doula (She, Her)
For more than 30 years, Laura Kandell has devoted her life to walking beside individuals and families as they face important health and end of life decisions. With degrees in education, social work, and nursing, she blends deep professional knowledge with a gentle, compassionate presence. Through heartfelt listening, honoring each person's story and rituals, and being fully present, Laura helps others feel seen, supported, and at peace. For her, this work is both a joy and a sacred privilege.
Why this work
My path to this work started long before I had a name for it. As a teen candy striper, and later interning at the first children's hospice in the United States, I worked in the schoolroom for children living in the hospital and hospice — an experience that taught me that even in hard circumstances, people still need connection, learning, and joy. I studied education, then earned my master's in social work, focusing on families coping with childhood cancer and AIDS. That work showed me how much families rely on a steady person beside them. Moving to California, I spent years as a social worker with Hospice of Petaluma, where the nursing staff inspired me to become an RN. Working for twenty five years in acute care as a nurse, patients and their families showed and taught me firsthand about resilience and recovery. Seeking more balance and a desire to do the most meaningful work, end-of-life doula training brought together everything I'd learned — education, healthcare, and years of walking alongside families through loss. I bring all of it with me now: a teacher's patience, a nurse's clinical grounding, and a social worker's understanding of how families navigate hard times. When you or someone you love is facing a difficult chapter, I'll bring that same experience and care to your family.
Her background
Laura's degrees span education, social work, and nursing — three ways of paying close attention to people, brought together in one steady presence.
This is a non-medical role. Laura's background as a registered nurse and social worker informs everything she does, and she holds an active California nursing license — but as your doula, she does not provide medical care. She works alongside your hospice team, physicians, and caregivers, never in place of them.
Working together
I work together with my colleague Jessica Stielau of Wild and Precious End of Life Services, another death doula serving Marin County. We are separate, independent practices — you'd contract with either of us directly — but we know each other's work well, share care and provide coverage for one another. If I'm not available or not the right fit for your needs, I'm happy to refer you to another trusted doula in my network. On request, Winston the wonder dog also makes visits for comfort and support. All of Winston's work is "pro-bone-o".
Credentials
- Registered Nurse (RN) from College of Marin- California license active*
- Master of Social Work from University of Michigan
- Bachelor's degree in Education from University of Michigan
- End of Life Doula INELDA trained. NEDA member
*End of Life Doulas work in a non-medical capacity
