Debra Manderewicz

Debra Manderewicz, MA, CT

Debra Manderewicz, MA, CT,
Board Member
Bereavement Coordinator for Heartland Home Care and Hospice, Certified in Thanatology: Death Dying and Bereavement

Deb’s interest in end of life issues began as a specially trained massage therapist and Reiki Master working with people who had serious life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

She went on to earn a B.A. in psychology from Kutztown University in 1999 which included an internship in hospice.  Deb then worked for 4 years at HCR ManorCare in social services and as director of a dementia unit often using her natural therapies to calm the nursing home residents on a daily basis and as they neared death. It was during this time that she joined The Berks County End of Life Coalition.

Deb went on to earn her M.A. in Thanatology (the academic study of death and dying) in 2005 from Hood College.  She is currently employed by Heartland Hospice as a bereavement coordinator.  She is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling and is certified in thanatology: death, dying, and bereavement by that organization.

Deb is the current Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Circle of Life Coalition.  She is passionately committed to the coalition’s mission to educate and bring awareness to the community regarding the importance of choosing one’s plan for end of life care.  Her personal wish is that we, in this society, can talk more openly about death and dying and accept it as a natural part of our circle of life; for if we understand that circle of life, we can truly live our lives to the fullest potential.

Deb is the Bereavement Coordinator for Heartland Home Care and Hospice and a Co-founder of the Circle of Life Coalition.