Gabrielle Jimenez, LVN, CHPLN

Grew up: Carmel Valley and Mendocino

Joined Mission Hospice: 2015

What led me to hospice work: I was a safety coordinator for commercial construction sites (specializing in iron/steel construction) and was laid off. My friend was terminally ill , and his wife asked if I could care for him so she could work. I did this until he passed away. I knew then this is what I was supposed to do. I started out with my CNA, then HHA, took Gerontology and Acute Care classes, got my LVN and then my CHPLN.

Mission Hospice in three words: Passionate kind hearts

Passions: I paint – you can see my work on my website. Also, I have written a book about my experiences as a hospice nurse and what I have learned about life. It is my passion project, and it should be out in 2019.

Reading: The Way of the Shaman

Desert island album: This is tough… anything by Tom Petty, The Counting Crows, the Decemberists, MoonAlice, or Dispatch

Little known fact: When my mother passed away, I worked for a Corian company. She was cremated and needed an urn, so I designed one using Corian. When I brought it to the funeral home, they asked where I got it. They ordered about 10 and it became a business. I sold Corian urns from Monterey to Santa Rosa until it got too big for me and I sold the patent and the business.

Favorite movie: Mystic Pizza

Favorite food: Peruvian or Italian

On my bucket list: More travel – I want to do the Portuguese route of the Camino next year.