It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of Kim, PbD, a beloved original member of the NewsHounds community. Kim lost her protracted battle with cancer on April 8, 2012 at the age of 37. She is remembered fondly by all of us here but especially by the members of the Newshounds Off-Topic Forum, where her infectious enthusiasm for life, her impish sense of humor and her generous personality shone through every word she typed – and where she first encountered the man who would become her husband.
Kimberlee brought something special to every conversation and occasion, so when some of the original Off-Topic group organized their first real-world meetup in Chicago in 2006 it was no surprise that Kim’s room became the focal point for music, mischievous planning and general hilarity. It was during this inaugural “Off-Topicon” that she finally came face to face with the man who would become the love of her life, her soulmate, her best friend, and her rock – the man she knew from the Forum as “Interested Bystander”. They met again at ConnCon (Connecticut meet-up) in 2008, and by the time MinniCon rolled around in 2009, Kim and IB were about to be married. Words can’t express how delighted we all were at this NewsHounds fairytale come true – and how grateful we are that Kim had the love she deserved in the final years of her too-short life.
A celebration of Kimberlee’s life will take place in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, tomorrow, Saturday, April 28th, beginning at 1 PM. Some of Kim’s NewsHounds friends will be in attendance and ET PbD, another NewsHounds regular, will deliver the eulogy as per Kim’s wishes. Kim’s friends around the world are invited to light a candle at that time to remember her exuberance, her courage and that wide, incandescent smile which became so familiar to us in person, in photos or through her words. (Please click here to determine what the equivalent time will be in your location).
We at NewsHounds extend our heartfelt sympathy to Kim’s wonderful husband, and to her family and friends. We invite our readers – and especially those who had the privilege of knowing Kim - to share, below the photos, your condolences, thoughts and memories of an awesome, passionate, compassionate woman – Kim, PbD.
R.I.P. – and wherever you are, go beat the crapout out of Bitey!
My sympathies to those who knew and loved her.
RIP
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RIP my friend.
Unfortunately, I have to be at work tomorrow at 1 and won’t be able to light a candle. But I will definitely pause for a moment of silence and send some good thoughts into the ether for Kim, Tom and their families.
It was a pleasure to call her one of my Internet friends. She will be greatly missed. Love to Tom and all of her family. You all deserved much better, 37 is just to young to be taken away.
Now, anyone who knows me well (close friends and family members) are very familiar with the huge crush I had (and maybe still do) on Carly Simon. Because of this, I was drawn to Kim and her sense of humor. She seemed familiar to me.
Though we never met in person, she and Tom sent me Christmas cards which I will cherish forever. I will miss her muchly…
The black and white photo of Kim posted above is going to be used in one of my paintings. It is a classic. It is timeless.
But the little I knew her was magical- she always had the best jokes, and she knew what to say when it had to be serious. It was like she was psychic sometimes.
The best of her came when we were both in pain, and no matter how much worse she had it… she was able to meet me halfway, and comfort me right back. Misery & Company, I remember her calling it once.
That’s all I got, but for how little that sounds like… it was the world.
