About Wild Life Retreat
Our Story
The irreplaceable loss of a child is a gut-wrenching, soul-shattering, kind of loss. And yet, somehow it leaves you alive, still breathing, still waking up, expected to go on. My daughter, Lindsey, died in a boating accident while on vacation at the age of 22. She was vibrant, energetic, and full of life — a girl who wanted to experience everything. - - - Losing her shattered my world...
In the weeks that followed her death, I found myself surrounded by other mothers who had also lost children. What began as shared grief quickly became something more — a bond forged by deep love, unspoken understanding, and a profound ability to hold space for one another in our darkest hours.
These women helped shape my own path forward. Inspired by their courage and compassion, I created Wild Life Retreat as a space for mothers navigating the unimaginable. A place to come together, connect, and begin the lifelong journey of healing — not alone, but side by side.
~ Jessie Partridge
Our Retreats
Planning Our Retreats
We host retreats each fall and spring, thoughtfully choosing a new destination each season. Grief needs space—space to breathe, to reflect, and to be felt. That’s why we gather in places shaped by nature—mountains, oceans, and open skies—where there is room to slow down, look outward, and quietly honor the memory of a beloved child.
Intimate by Design
We create small, intimate spaces where every mother is truly seen and heard. Because healing begins where you feel safe enough to be yourself.
Our retreats are intentionally limited to 12 to 16 participants, allowing for genuine connection, honest conversation, and a deep sense of belonging.
In a world that can feel overwhelming and impersonal, we offer something quieter, more personal—where meaningful bonds are formed and last well beyond the retreat.
“To eat is a necessity, but to eat together is a gift.”
There is healing in gathering around a table—in laughter, in conversation, in shared moments.
At Wild Life Retreat, mealtimes are sacred. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared to nourish and comfort, creating space for connection and reflection.
Because food is more than sustenance—it is soul care.
Mind-Body Connection
We honor the deep connection between our inner world and our physical selves. Practices like meditation, yoga, mindful movement, and breathwork gently guide us back to the present moment—a place where healing can begin.
These simple yet powerful rituals create space for grief, release, and renewal. They invite us to move with our pain rather than away from it, offering comfort in motion and peace in stillness.
Whether sitting quietly in reflection or stretching into a new posture, each moment is an invitation to return to yourself—with compassion, with strength, and without judgment.
Through this connection of mind, body, and spirit, we begin to soften the edges of loss and open to moments of calm, clarity, and even joy.
Creative Expression
At Wild Life Retreat, creativity becomes a gentle path toward healing. Through thoughtfully chosen projects and activities, we create space for self-expression, reflection, and emotional release.
Grief doesn’t always have words. But through creating—painting, writing, crafting, or simply working with your hands—we begin to express what lives beneath the surface. In these moments, what feels heavy or hidden can slowly take form.
Creative expression doesn’t take the pain away, but it allows us to hold it differently—to honor what we’ve lost while staying connected to the love that remains.
It reminds us, softly, that even in brokenness, there can still be beauty—and that love can continue to live on through what we create.
Special Guest Speakers
Each retreat features a thoughtfully selected guest speaker, offering support through a variety of healing practices—from therapy and breathwork to sound and creative expression.
These sessions provide space for reflection, insight, and emotional release—reminding us that healing can take many forms.
Every speaker is chosen not just for their experience, but for their heart—and their ability to meet you with compassion and care.
Our Team
Wild Life Retreat is truly a family—led with heart by our founder and lovingly supported by her husband and children. Behind the scenes, you’ll often find one (or several) of her five children photographing moments, setting up activities, driving to off-site events, serving meals, or helping with the small details that make each retreat run smoothly. Their presence brings warmth, energy, and quiet support to every gathering.
But their role goes beyond logistics. As siblings who have experienced the profound loss of a sister, they carry a perspective that is both rare and deeply meaningful. Many mothers find themselves in quiet conversation with them—sharing, listening, and gaining insight into what it means to grieve as a sibling, and to witness a parent’s grief.
These layers of connection, reflection, and shared understanding are part of what make each retreat feel so deeply personal.