Helping Mothers Through Their Grief
UMBRELLA MINISTRIES was founded in 1996, with the sole purpose of helping mothers through their grief of losing a child. Since its beginning Umbrella Ministries has offered comfort, hope and encouragement to thousands of mothers across the United States, including Alaska and Canada.
Grieving the death of a child can be a painful and lonely struggle. Working through such anguish requires tremendous effort, patience, faith and hope. Umbrella Ministries assists bereaved mothers through this difficult period with support, encouragement and love. If you have experienced the loss of a child, you need not grieve alone — we understand and we’re here for you.
The ministry began because two women responded to the call of a still small voice and followed God’s leading to start Umbrella Ministries to help grieving moms.
Bracelets with our Children's Name
Meet our Founders & Board Members
Daisy Catchings-Shader
Daisy is the Co-Founder of Umbrella Ministries
Daisy’s life was forever changed when she and her husband, Dick, suffered the loss of their only child Danny who died suddenly with a heart attack. After coming to terms with her loss, her greatest desire was to help other moms through their loss. Daisy has served in Christian ministry for twenty-five years as Area and Regional Representative for Stonecroft Ministries, Christian Women’s Club Chairman and Bible teacher. She is an inspirational and motivational speaker at conferences throughout the United States. Daisy is an author and member of Christian Writer’s Guild. She currently serves on the Board of Women’s Ministries at Southwest Church.
Purchase Daisy's book "Under God’s Umbrella" on Amazon by Clicking Here
Donna Luke
Donna is the Co-Founder of Umbrella Ministries
Donna’s beginnings with Umbrella Ministries began when she bought a book binder in 1996 and typed up and bound a Journal her best friend Daisy wrote. It was a journal of letters she wrote to her son Danny in heaven. Letters filled with faith, hope and the healing love of God. It was that little book “Under God’s Umbrella” that was the beginning of Umbrella Ministries. Daisy spoke at a women’s retreat, where Donna had brought her books to give away, they discovered there were several ladies there who lost a child. On their way home they stopped for lunch and wrote on a napkin their dreams of a ministry reaching out to grieving moms.
It was going into the 20th anniversary of Umbrella Ministries Donna and Daisy were together hosting a conference in Montana when Donna received a call her daughter Kimberly had suddenly passed away from a cerebral aneurysm. During the first 20 years of Umbrella Ministries, Donna did all the behind-the-scenes things so mothers who had lost a child could minister to other mothers. When she lost Kim, the mothers reached out and ministered to her. Now, God is using her even more as a mom who understands the hurts of other grieving moms. Her greatest desire is God will use her until she goes home to heaven to bring comfort, hope and His love to other grieving parents.
Michele Paul
I am a full-time resident in Palm Desert California. I have been married to Danny Paul for fifty wonderful and crazy years. My two daughters are the love of my life. Sarah lives close by with her husband and my three grandchildren Finley, Forrest, and Fallon. They have been such a blessing. They have helped heal my broken heart. Katie my youngest daughter resides in heaven in a beautiful mansion that I will one day get to visit. She moved into her mansion on July 2, 1997, after suffering an aneurysm at Hume Lake Christian Camp.
It was through my darkest days that I became acquainted with Umbrella Ministries. I truly believe these women saved my life through watching them face their loss with courage and hope. I figured if God made a way for them to live on, I too could find my way. This ministry not only healed my brokenness, but it gave me a new purpose to comfort other moms as I had been comforted. I am forever grateful to Daisy and Donna for listening to the plans the Lord placed on their hearts. I have been so blessed to meet other mothers who have joined this club that no one wants to be in.
Email: MPaulindio@yahoo.com
Dr. Kimber Wilkes
California born and raised, resident of La Quinta, CA. My 27 yr. old son, living with Jesus is Jesse Allen Wilkes and Umbrella Ministries has opened a new world of Christ based strength, hope and wonderful friendships in my life.
Email: Kimberwilkes@yahoo.com
Linda Stirling
Linda is President of Umbrella Ministries
Linda D. Stirling is a gifted communicator with years of experience coming alongside grieving mothers at the lowest moments of their lives. The process of healing from the death of a child, she says, is a lifelong journey, and the true stories in Hope for a Broken Heart chronicle the journeys that each mother traveled toward a renewed purpose in life.
Linda is currently a Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor with The Pacific Mountain Group, at Raymond James (no longer UBS) in San Diego and Sun Valley, Idaho, where she works with her surviving son Greg. Linda has repeatedly joined the ranks of Barron’s Top 100 Women Advisors in America. She makes her home in San Diego, where she lives with her husband, former California State Senator and retired judge Larry Stirling. She and Larry enjoy their special time with five grandsons and one granddaughter.
Purchase Linda's book "Hope for a Broken Heart" on Amazon by Clicking Here
Visit Linda's website by Clicking Here
Ann Bennett
I lived in Pennsylvania most of my life. I now live in Charlotte, NC. My middle daughter Patty died in a car accident when she was 19. My husband and I joined a Christian support BASIS (brothers and sisters in support) when we first lost Patty. My husband and I were eventually led to start a GriefShare group at our Church in West Chester. Through GriefShare, I was led to Umbrella Ministries. Daisy Catchings encouraged me to come to the West Coast conference, and she wanted me to bring some of my moms, from GriefShare, with me. The love and care everywhere and the strong connection that immediately was there with all the moms was amazing.
Daisy and Donna asked me if I would like to start a conference on the East Coast. God had placed a special spot in my heart for Umbrella Ministries. I said yes, having no idea how I would be able to do it. I was retiring from teaching that year, I knew I could only do it with God’s help. A group of 6 of us met with Daisy and Donna after a West Coast Conference to plan the East Coast beginnings. We realized that God had gifted us all in different ways. East Coast Conferences started in 2011, by the New Jersey Shore. God has blessed us with wonderful speakers and workshop leaders each year. We watch some moms come in very sad and see them laughing together by Saturday. I will always hold the ministry in my heart. Last year, 2022, I was invited to join the board and gladly said yes.
Email: AnnRBen@comcast.net
Debbie Bauernschmidt
Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Mimi, Friend, Servant from Pennsylvania.
My primary life witness is how God has carried me through “one of a parent’s worst nightmares”.
Losing our son Billy at age 17, changed my life’s journey/purpose. Thankful that God was visibly present in the journey and has encouraged me to share my story with other moms, to reach my hand out to help others heal on the journey.
I was introduced to Umbrella Ministries through Grief Share. Six months after Billy died, I attended my first West Coast Conference. I came home in awe. “Where could you be in a room of 120 moms that have lost children, some multiples, and come home with an attitude of gratitude!” After 5 years out there, I was convinced we needed one on the East Coast ~ AND by GOD’s planning, 2011 was our first one! I have seen this ministry transform the lives of so many moms on this journey and am blessed to see how God works in the pulling together of these conferences. I am proud to be part of the Umbrella Team and in service to God walking this journey and sharing God’s love and joy.
Email: dkeenbau@verizon.net
"Thoughts Under the Umbrella" Weekly Newsletter
Our desire is to bring you biblically based truth that will encourage you as you walk your journey of grief with the God of hope and comfort. If you would like to receive a weekly devotional every Wednesday by e-mail please fill out the following form.
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