Our Story

The idea for Parting Gifts came after the loss of my beloved sister Melissa. At her funeral, a friend gave me a beautifully embroidered handkerchief and simply said, “Some tears are meant to keep.” 

I was deeply touched by her gesture. I’ve carried her handkerchief with me since that day. Its presence in my pocket brings me comfort and reminds me in some way, my sister is always near. 

Witnessing so many people struggle under the weight of grief and loss during the COVID 19 pandemic reminded how much my friend's small gift had made me feel consoled and understood.

I started Parting Gifts as a way to help you bring the same comfort and peace to your loved one. 

Founded in Melissa's memory, our company is her parting gift to me and mine to her. 

If you've ever found yourself wishing you could find something more personal and lasting than the traditional sympathy gift, you've come to the right place. 

In fact, we don't make sympathy gifts. We make EMPATHY gifts.  You may be wondering, what's the. difference?  

Sympathy gifts are a kind way to send your condolences to someone you care about.  An EMPATHY gift says, "I feel your pain and understand what you're going through." It's the heart expressing what words just can't.  

Our gift sets are made with all the love and compassion you feel.  They're gift boxed and ready to send to someone your love.

When you start a business in your 50's it's usually because you want to do something meaningful.  

So often when someone dies, colleagues, friends and family, genuinely kind and thoughtful people say nothing for fear of saying "the wrong thing." 

I'm on a mission to dispel the stigma surrounding grief and to help build connect with meaningful gifts that express empathy and love, without compromising our commitment to do good at every step.

Together we're leaving a legacy of love.  Each Parting Gift makes the world a better place in the following ways:

• Handkerchiefs are hand-stitched with love  by a village of expert women embroiders who earn a living wage to support their families. 

• Memory boxes are made of reclaimed walnut preventing deforestation and keeping wood from landfills.

• Vocational Services, Inc. assembles our products giving individuals with disabilities prevailing wage employment.

• A portion of each purchase is donated to a local charities like Veteran's Community Project.