Mother, Creative, Entrepreneur

My Journey Through Grief & Healing

When our daughter, Skylar, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at just two months old, we found out the odds were stacked against us — she would likely not see her first birthday. If you're familiar with ALS or Lou Gherig's Disease, SMA is similar. Muscles degenerate and there's no currently no cure. At the time, there wasn't even a treatment.

With the help of a researcher, she did see her first birthday, and with the help of friends (including Sarah Harms who took this precious photo), we were able to capture beautiful memories together. When Skylar died, just before turning 21 months old, those photographs meant the world to me.

Not only were they a way for me to hold my daughter when she was no longer here to hold, but they gave me a safe place to fully feel my emotions. I could sit with the photos and ugly cry without concern for others. On days that I missed her, I would look at her picture and talk to her, continuing the bond and love we shared, with complete freedom to say whatever I wanted without fear or judment from others. The photographs were a tool for healing and I wanted to pay it forward to help other people in grief. This led to the founding of Momento Foundation in 2015.

Meeting needs

Grief Specialist to Author & Artist

After leading Momento Foundation for over ten years and supporting thousands of individuals through loss, I kept noticing a gap in support.

I had poured myself into continuing education on grief and trauma, and realized many resources were not approaching grief support and healing through a trauma-informed lens... Even though not all grief is trauamtic, a lot of it is. And all trauma has an element of grief to it, even if the loss is a loss of safety or sense of self.

When friends would call me asking for help, I struggled to find something that would be an ongiong support. A blog didn't feel substantial enough and a traditional book felt like too much for someone with grief brain. But what if I could create something unique? Trauma-informed. Empathetic. Supportive of all beliefs. Non-gendered. Written for anyone in their teens to triple digits. Digestable. Beautiful. Artistic.

When You Can't See The Light is the book I wish I had in my raw grief and the book I desperately wish I had to give to friends throughout the years. It's a significant book (almost 400 pages) in full color with watercolor artwork, which you can also purchase through my art shop.

Special thanks to Raj Bandypadhyay for this fun head shot in one of my favorite places—New York City!

FEATURED ON BBC

Hear My Story

After my TEDx talk, I received an email from BBC inviting me to share the full journey—from losing Skylar to founding Momento Foundation (formerly Love Not Lost) and helping others heal in grief.

Listen on BBC →

Ashley Nicole Jones featured on BBC Outlook

Connection

Ways We Can Work Together

Speaking & Keynotes

Whether it's a keynote, workshop, or panel, I take people on a journey where their own revelations become the destination. My purpose is helping people navigate loss with courage, empathy, and presence. I would be honored to support your audience no matter the size.

Book Me to Speak →

The Book

When You Can't See The Light is a trauma-informed survival guide to grief — designed for the person in the darkness and the person standing beside them. Short chapters for grief brain. Original artwork for the soul. Practical tools for the journey.

Get the Book →

Consulting

I help leaders and organizations know what to say, what to do, and how to create a culture where people feel supported in their hardest moments. Whether you're navigating a team through loss or building grief-informed policies — I'll walk alongside you.

Work With Me →

Featured

In The News

There are too many to list, but these are some of the more recognizable features since becoming a founder, author, and grief specialist.

If you're interested, you can view the full list on the media page.