For most of Diane Sheffield’s life, she had been a teacher and counselor. So when the Walnut Creek mother of two learned there was no cure for her metastatic breast cancer, she decided to use her last days to teach others about facing death. Diane, who died in March at the age of 60, began receiving hospice in August 1998, beginning a journey that would strengthen her faith, enhance the loving relationships with her family and many friends, and lead to a peaceful exit from this world. Diane and her family, supported by Hospice and Palliative Care of Contra Costa, allowed a Times reporter and photographer into their lives. What follows, in serialized form, is a look at Diane’s life, death and what remains. It also is a look at the growing yet still under-used hospice movement, which provides care and support each year for thousands of people in this country.

An interview with Mary B. Moorhead, a licensed family therapist and elder-care specialist, shares her thoughts as she recently helped a beloved neighbor fight and then succumb to cancer.

I'm not a doctor, but I know what it is to miscarry. I'm not a psychiatrist, but I can tell you about the pain and grief that accompany a miscarriage. Excerpted from the book, "I Never Held You" by Ellen M. Dubois, published by DLSIJ Press. The entire book which offers counsel on letting go and moving on can be downloaded for a small fee from the DLSIJ website. An excerpt from this book may be found at SpiritualSisters.Com. The author, Ellen M. Dubois, website address is: Wings of the Heart

The Samaritans are a charity, founded in 1953, which exists to provide confidential emotional support to any person, who is suicidal or despairing; and to increase public awareness of issues around suicide and depression. Trained volunteers provide this service 24 hours every day. It is free. You are guaranteed absolute confidentiality and that you will not be judged. They believe that everyone has the right to control their own destiny - including the right to end their life.