Rhyena’s Gift to Inspire Intentional Living and Dying

Having worked as an artist, a filmmaker, an arts administrator, a teacher and a massage therapist, Rhyena is content in what she calls the “Third Act” of life in her roles as a board-certified holistic health and wellness coach and an end-of-life doula.

“I would like to see a world where we talk openly about death, where it is the norm to consciously plan for our death. Dying consciously is a value, reflected by the contiguous value of living consciously,” Rhyena shared. “Our thinking about death is evolving. Just think about how we, as a society, now embrace hospice, advance care directives, palliative care, green burials and the conscious dying movement.”

Inspired by her spirit of intentional living and dying, Rhyena established a deferred charitable gift annuity (CGA) with Compassion & Choices to continue her support of its critical work. Rhyena will receive guaranteed income for life when she is ready; and by using appreciated assets, she also avoided capital-gains tax. She continues to support the organization through annual giving as well.

“Everything I get to do I chose to do because it feeds my soul,” says Rhyena, who volunteers at her local hospice both with direct care of patients and community outreach and knows her choice to support Compassion & Choices ensures many people will have help navigating their final chapter of life.

“I have learned that there are many ways to experience loss after the death of a loved one. Almost five years ago, my mom was ready to die—and we shared so much love and we got to say our sweet goodbyes over and over. I have experienced the loss of her with a full and grateful heart.”