Meet Maureen McOwen, CCLS

I am a Certified Child Life Specialist and Certified Grief Educator with over 30 years of experience supporting children, teens, adults, and families through some of life's most difficult moments. For 12 years, I worked in a hospital setting, at Kaleida Health's Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, helping children and families navigate medical challenges with compassion and understanding. I then dedicated 18 years to CompassionNet, a Pediatric and Perinatal Palliative home care, walking alongside families as they prepared for and lived through medical challenges and end-of-life journeys with their children, helping children and families cope with the emotional and psychological impact of illness and loss.

Beyond my clinical work, I co-facilitate a grief support group for children and teens creating a supportive  space for healing, connection, and growth, HELPING CHILDREN GROW THROUGH GRIEF. I also had the privilege of co-founding a grief camp, offering kids and families a nurturing environment to honor their loved ones, build resilience, and find hope, SMILING THROUGH TEARS, both the support group and camp are a service of Kaleida Health Oishei Children's Hospital.

My passion has always been to provide guidance, comfort, and meaningful support during times of illness, loss, and transition. Through my practice, I strive to meet families where they are, offering both education and heartfelt presence as they navigate their own unique paths through grief and healing.