Death Cafe profile for Vail Public Library
Location: United States
About Vail Public Library:
Shelby Hawkins brings a rare depth of perspective to end-of-life and transformative care, shaped by 20 years at the intersection of emergency medicine and death work. For a decade, he served as an Emergency Medical Technician, responding to some of the most acute moments in people's lives. That experience led them toward a different kind of urgent care: the past ten years as a death doula and private caregiver, supporting individuals and families through the dying process with presence, compassion, and skill.
His work includes direct experience with Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), guiding patients and loved ones through this deeply personal end-of-life option. He is also a dedicated community builder around death and dying, having hosted and attended numerous Death Cafes across Aspen and Denver — creating open, judgment-free spaces for people to talk about mortality.
Currently, Shelby is expanding his practice through a psychedelic facilitator training program at Memoru, integrating psychedelic-assisted approaches into the broader work supporting people through transitions, healing, and transformation.
Vail Public Library's posts on the Death Cafe website
With Shelby Hawkins
Oct. 13, 2026, 11.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. (MST)
Accepts donations
Ski towns are notoriously aging, and often the services begin to dwindle as people track up trips anyone the sun. This program hosted at the library encourages locals and visitors ...