About Us

Catherine Szabad founded Hearts in Bloom Buffalo out of compassion for those who have lost their life partner. Following her own personal experience with loss, Catherine’s vision expanded to include grieving mothers through A Mother’s Love initiative, ensuring that those carrying the heartbreak of losing a child are also seen, supported and remembered.

A man and woman smiling for a selfie in a cozy room, with the woman holding a bouquet of flowers wrapped in plastic.

Our Mission

Hearts in Bloom works to honor and support widows, widowers and grieving mothers who are navigating profound loss and are so often left to carry their grief in silence. Through thoughtful gestures of flowers, gifts and human connection, we offer acts of compassion, a quiet recognition, and reminders that their loss still matters. Our hope is that through Hearts in Bloom, and A Mother’s Love, every recipient feels seen, remembered, and that they’re not alone. Watch Love Grow Buffalo!

A woman with brown curly hair sitting at a kitchen counter with a floral arrangement in a white vase, kitchen cabinets, pendant lights, and a range hood in the background.
A couple sitting on a beach with ocean waves in the background.

My Story

I know how deep, life-altering loss feels.

Everyone knows what loss feels like and some losses are tougher than others.  For me, it was the loss of my son. I miss him and the thought of all the things he missed out on is very difficult. At times, I have the feeling of being left out when others talk about what their sons are doing, but I also know that was not the plan for my family.  

After losing my child, I experienced a silence I never expected—the world didn’t seem to notice that everything had changed. That grief made me very aware of how isolating loss can be, especially when there’s little space for others to recognize it. Over time, my pain helped me recognize others who walk a similar path, particularly widows and widowers. They too are asked to continue on while carrying the weight of a shattered world. Hearts in Bloom became my way of reaching out.

People ask me why I do this. I answer that it’s really a kind thing to do—but quietly, I know I’m really doing it for my son and to help those who have a sense of loss and missing someone they loved dearly.

Today, I live in Wheatfield with my husband David and our “diva” English Bulldog, Georgia.

Press and Appearances

Woman in pink jacket holding a bouquet of flowers being filmed by a cameraman in black jacket inside a decorated room with pink and heart-shaped balloons.