A doctoral student in psychology and a volunteer at Maison St-Raphaël, Stéphanie has, for the past few months, embodied a quiet yet essential presence for people at the end of life. Without a fixed schedule, she adapts her availability to fit of her academic commitments, returning whenever she can to support the care team and the day center. For her, this commitment goes far beyond simple volunteering, it is part of a deeper reflection on the place of death and grief in our society, realities that are often kept at a distance but that she believes are fundamental to acknowledge.
Before embarking on her current path, Stéphanie first completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration and worked in digital marketing for several years. She then made a transition into psychology, the field in which she is now pursuing her doctorate. Her research focuses on the experience of grief—a subject that resonates with her involvement at Maison St-Raphaël and her desire to better understand and support the human experiences related to loss.
In her volunteer role, her days vary depending on the shifts. She supports the care workers, nurses, and the entire staff by attending to everyday needs: preparing materials, serving meals, interacting with residents, or simply being present. These are sometimes simple gestures, but they help ease the workload of teams and contribute to a more compassionate care for patients.
What she values most in her role are the encounters. Whether with residents, visitors, or colleagues, each interaction is, in her view, meaningful. She highlights the remarkable dedication of the healthcare staff on the front lines, ensuring the well-being of patients and their loved ones, as well as all those who work behind the scenes to provide resources and support to the community. She also notes how indispensable volunteers are to the smooth functioning of the services.
For her, Maison St-Raphaël is a special place. As soon as she enters, she feels a sense of calm, an invitation to return to what truly matters. This proximity to the end of life reminds her of the fragility and value of the present moment, while nourishing her need to make room for grief, death, and vulnerability in her own life.
Among the works that have left a lasting impression on her, she cites the film *Hamnet*. She was moved by the way the film explores relationships with others, our connection to nature, and the role of art in expressing the complexity of existence. The film also highlights the importance of collective support in the face of loss, an idea that resonates deeply with her values.
If she could transform society with a single gesture, Stéphanie would wish for more space to be given to death and grief, but also to community, the common good, and human warmth. In her ideal day-to-day life, she favors simple moments: being in nature and spending time with the people she loves. And when asked what she would do if she had superpowers, she says she doesn’t feel the need for them right now. On the contrary, her current quest is focused on trying to fully embrace her humanity, with all its complexity and vulnerability.
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