Kim’s Story
When Kim was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October of 2008, she was given a 50% chance of living only a few years. Her positive attitude, zeal for life and unrelentless determination helped her defy these odds and truly live her last six years to the fullest.
Through the highs and lows of her treatment, she, as they say, made lemonade out of the lemons she was given and served it with a smile. To say Kim was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and co-worker would be a true understatement. She was a beautiful person both inside and out … to know her was to love her.
In Kim’s own words from her online journal, “Some wonderful people have come into my life that would not have if I didn’t get “C”. Friendships grew stronger and family is cherished more every day. I learned to ask for help and not let little things get to me. I live each day to the fullest and don’t take things for granted. I don’t wait for tomorrow to do something, if the chance comes up today, I do it!”
And live she did … Kim made the most of the time that she had by making memories that will last her friends and family a lifetime. Highlights include:
- Taking a 25th Anniversary cruise with her husband Dan.
- Throwing herself a birthday party in 2012 to celebrate the milestone of being able to turn 50.
- Cheering her sons Danny and Kyle on from the sidelines as they played soccer and admiring her daughter Melanie’s grace as she danced.
- Proudly watching as all three of her children graduated from high school and college and began working for great companies.
- Taking yearly family vacations to Table Rock Lake with her parents, siblings and their spouses, and all of the nieces and nephews.
- Enjoying one last vacation with just Dan and the kids in Jamaica.
- Going to the St. Louis Cardinals’ Spring Training in Florida.
- Wedding dress shopping and planning all aspects of Melanie’s wedding, and most importantly, being there when she walked down the aisle.
- Participating with friends and family in the FamiliesROC’s Ovarian 5K Runs and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day at Busch Stadium to help raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
- Helping Melanie and her husband Jimmy make their first house a home.
Kim is missed by many … We at Gabriel Group are honored to have called Kim our friend and co-worker, and are thrilled that we are able to raise money for St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA) in her memory.
SLOCA is a small but mighty group of women and men who are determined to increase awareness of ovarian cancer, create a place where patients and survivors can find support and fund important research.
