In this powerful and heart-opening episode of Grief & Grit, Greer and Simonie sit down with Ashley Jones, photographer, author, and founder of the Momento Foundation. Ashley shares the deeply personal story of losing her daughter Skylar to SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) and how that loss led her to create an organization that offers terminal families the priceless gift of photography and remembrance.

From grief and trauma to purpose and impact, Ashley walks us through her emotional journey—from sitting in painful silence with nothing but photographs of her daughter, to launching a nonprofit that trains photographers to compassionately serve families at end-of-life. You’ll hear about the healing power of legacy photos, how kids use portraits to stay connected to lost loved ones, and how Ashley’s upcoming book helps others navigate grief in a trauma-informed way.

This is not just an episode about loss—it’s about legacy, presence, and the quiet ways love endures. Bring tissues, and maybe a warm blanket. This one’s tender.

Resources Mentioned:

Momento Foundation Website
Momento on IG
Momento on Facebook
Ashley on IG
When You Can’t See the Light (Ashley’s upcoming book)
SupportNow.org
Momento’s Photographer Application + Donation Opportunities

Follow Ashley:

LinkedIn
Personal Website (coming soon): AshleyNicoleJones.com

Follow Grief & Grit:

Support Our Work on Patreon:

🎁 Get access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus mini episodes, printable grief tools, and more.

👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/griefandgrit

From Child Loss to Lifelong Legacy: How Ashley Jones Created the Momento Foundation