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Heaven has a truly special angel in their presence now that Kimber is there. She was the sweetest, most thoughtful person I have ever known. My heart aches in missing her. It is unbearably hard to believe she is actually gone, it was so sudden. May she rest in peace, she is now free from all the pain she suffered so from her ailments.
With so much sister love,
Dona
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I know we are all saddened by the loss of our dear friend Kimberly. It's especially hard because we just saw her last weekend. I know that she was in poor health, but it was great to see her with her feet up in the suite, sharing a meal and watching a movie together. We talked about her health and other, inconsequential things. She was looking forward to the weekend, and I was going to miss the rest of it.
When I heard from Ronda I was a little numb, when I called a few people to leave messages, my voice broke a little. But I pulled it together and ended up having a great weekend with my girlfriend. Our lives go on, and we remember our dear Kimber with love and gratitude for the things she did to further our friendships and the workings of our group.
I have had a long friendship with Kim. In 1997 or 1998, we met over the phone through a mutual friend. On one of her early websites, linking to mine she said something like, "Our friendship started in a strange way, but I'm glad it did!" We went to the San Diego NAAFA convention together, and we did a panel with a brochure about Bullying and how fat kids can cope with peer pressure and what teachers and parents can do about it. She was working with the San Diego Size Acceptance community and had a few big events like NO Diet Day.
When she relocated to Norco, I visited her in her home and even though it was hard to get her off the computer, I really enjoyed talking to her, looking at all her books and magazines about size acceptance and hearing about her latest romances and collections of everything from beanie babies to beautiful glass bottles (which I've added one or two as gifts over the years). I was so happy she helped with the Palm Springs retreat, she really seemed to relish being in the thick of things at the planning retreat for it (where we carpooled) and she was very wise in knowing about my relationship before I was even wanting to share it with others.
The poker parties that she hosted were always excellent, even when she wasn't playing, and now I'm very sorry that I missed her last one. Everything she did over the years was instrumental in the success of our group, even though she never expected anything for it. I sent her many thank you cards over the years and was so touched to see them framed on her walls during my visits.
In the last few years, she seemed more often to be in pain, or sleepy from the medications. We didn't see her as often at events and she wasn't as interested in talking on the phone or getting visits. So I am glad that she's no longer in pain, but I'm sorry that we will miss her energy and talents on line and in our group.
Monica
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Kimber’s untimely death is a tremendous loss to me. We worked together on SAFE
activities, had a few in person visits with each other and thoughtful
conversations through e-mail and on the phone.
We shared many interests. She loved to write, and I do think that was the
reason that she enjoyed putting together our web site. She shared with me her
old poetry and writing magazines. She is my inspiration to get myself to do
that writing that I have always planned to do.
Her vast knowledge of medicine has helped me through many medical crises. It is
clear that she not only relied on her prior work experience but made a genuine
effort to continue to educate herself in that area. She knew a great deal about
her own medical condition and fought to get the proper care for her needs. In
the end I do think that she protected all of us from knowing how very ill she
had become. Bless her heart for coming to our weekend Get-Away despite great
pain.
Size acceptance was her passion. She contributed a great deal to our community,
and SAFE was only part of that contribution. She gave us a steady hand of
guidance from her past experience and her significant knowledge. Some of my
favorite memories of Kimberly with SAFE is when we worked on the Palm Springs
Retreat, had the Tea Party at Imelda’s, the fifth Anniversary party when we did
the raffle baskets and she contributed numerous items, the cabana pool side
party at Pala Casino, her poker parties, and most significant of all, her heroic
participation in last week’s Get Away Weekend.
I shall miss her loving participation in my life, and I will carry her memory
with me. Rest in Peace, our beloved Kimberly.
Judi Richardson
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S.A.F.E. brought Kimberly into my life -- come to think of it, S.A.F.E. has
brought a lot of
goodness and friendship into my life, and Kimber helped to teach me a lot about
the size
acceptance movement.
Early on, she shared a lot with me about her involvement in the size acceptance
community, the 'ups' & sense of empowerment with the wins and the 'downs' with
the
losses. She helped me to see certain things differently than I had before, since
being a very
able-bodied 'mid-sized BBW' there were many things that I hadn't encountered in
my
day-to-day life. Being with Kim made me much more aware, and much more sensitive
to
others' issues and making sure that when hosting a size-friendly event, how
important it
is to really research the facilities so that no-one would be left out or made to
feel
uncomfortable. She was especially sensitive about folks' medical issues and
doctor waiting
room accessibility, and it's because of her that I became quite adamant about
asking for
armless chairs at every doctor's office I take my mum to (which, since she's now
81, is a
lot of offices, testing facilities & labs 'n' such!). Kim was the first person I
talked to about
the small success at one doctor's office -- I'd asked for an armless chair or
two, and on
mum's next visit there were several, and a long bench as well. I know it's not a
big thing
(unless you're the one who doesn't have a place to sit!), but I understood what
Kim meant
when she said the little wins felt so good: it made you feel heard -- and as
fat folks, we're
so often tuned out. Kim also stressed the importance of thanking the people who
listened,
heard and took action, so I send cards -- always with flowers on them (another
thing Kim
& I would talk about).
I especially enjoyed when we talked baseball -- both Anaheim Angels fans -- and
we
baseball nuts always seem to find each other and have something to chat about.
In
fact, Kim opened her suite to host not only the poker night during the recent
Getaway
Weekend, but had the Angel game on TV, much to my delight & chagrin. We both
sighed
over their loss that eve, but had a little cyber ^5 the following night over
their 100th win.
She'd have been so happy with their 12th-inning win tonight in Boston that gives
the
Angels at least one more game in the first round of the playoffs [unless you're
really into
baseball, there's no way to describe that bond ;)].
Kim will always be a part of our S.A.F.E. family, and I, for one, will never sit
down for a
hand of Texas Hold 'Em without thinking of her and her friendship.
Gael MacGregor-Walsh
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I think I first met Kimber at Pam's Biff Difference dance, a pool party given by
the Biff Difference at Mary Ann's, or at a Mor2Luv dance. Wherever it was, it
must have been close to a million years ago.
I remember seeing her at Mary Ann's at a pool party, wearing her purple bathing
suit, and having some guy she was dating, catering to her every wish. She
seemed so happy, full of life, and so confident. I guess I could say it was a
bit of jealousy, as I wished I could have been in her shoes, and never worrying
about what others around her thought. She was so upbeat and vibrant.
Kimber was an active part of the BBWNetwork Bash in Las Vegas, and it's
community board/forum. It was a pleasure seeing and chatting with her the past
few years at the bash, and last year she pulled her scooter up to my table, and
we sat, laughed, and made small talk.
My prayers goes out to Kimber's family, friends, and to everyone who knew or
knew of her. She was one of those people who left an everlasting impression.
With Love & Prayers,
Gertha Hoeing
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For as long as I’ve been a part of size acceptance, Kimber was there (whether it was at local events and cyber meeting places). She was endlessly extending her warmth, kindness and wisdom to all of us. She had a major influence in my understanding of the size acceptance movement and my approach in dealing with being person of size in society.
I think my first physical memory of her was at one of Pam’s Big Difference dances, where it seemed that stunningly beautiful blonde women travelled in packs. They did, because Pam & Kimber were always together whether it was a SAFE poker night, pool party or a NAAFA-LA meeting! LOL! Kimber had a great sense of fun and if you joined in, you would always have lots of fun too.
In one of the last emails she wrote to us, she made a pun of my comment about being mistaken and suggested that I dress up as Miss Taken for the Halloween Dance. I have not stopped thinking about that post and how quintessential it was of Kimber’s spirit and sense of humor, bringing both a smile to my heart and tears to my eyes.
I don’t think I could ever truly express the magnitude of how much she meant to me, how amazing she was and how very much I miss her.
Linda Ramos
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On another note, my dear friend Kimmy Moore has passed away last Friday. Her family has cremated her/as per her wishes. She is now at home with her family. They are just having only family around them at this time. Her sister mentioned how much comfort the Safe Swim site, has given the family. The kind words have given them such comfort. I would like to have some sort of memorial at my home. I have a room that we call 'Kimmies Room'. She enjoyed coming to my home and just being able to relax and enjoy herself. It was her home away from home. I know she felt that. The last year she was not able to visit as much, because she was not well with the added injury to her arm and shoulder. I was glad to have seen her at this last BBW convention in Las Vegas. She had planned all year long for the trip. I missed her this last time at the event at the hotel in Orange County. I know it took a toll on her to be able to attend events but she always tried so hard. I miss her so! I know I am not alone in feeling the loss of such a wonderful person like Kimmy. I know she has touched so many people's lives. She did so much for other's, selflessly and sometimes she didn't get all the credit, she deserved. Yet Kimmy always was there to help or make things easer for others she cared for. She was so very kind with her time and energy. I know my life is darker for not having Kim's bright light shard with me. She shared herself with me and so many others. There is always someone else, I feel that I have not shared the sad new of her loss. When I spoke with her Mom last week, she did not know if anyone would want to be part of memorial. I was kind of shocked that she did not know how truely loved Kim was! How much her daughters death would be felt by so many people that really 'LOVED and ADORED Kimmy truly was. I know first hand how much Kimmy always wanted to be of help to other's. I informed Kimmy, that our friend Gabrielle Gloor had been hospitalized because she had a major stroke. When I told her what hospital she was at, I later learned that she went to work. When she hung up the phone with me she found the hospital website. Kim found a way that everyone could write a email to a patient and it would be given to them the next morning! That was Kimmy! She knew that it would make Gab happy to hear from friends. Also, that it was something so easy to email a sick friend! Yet it is a way to show support and that you cared. Only Kimmy would think of ways to stay in touch with a sick friend. She had gone out of her way, to help everyone be able to keep in touch with a good friend. That was Kimmy! She always made things easer for everyone. If I knew her, she went on the computer and stayed on till she was hurting to much, just to find a way to keep friends in touch with friends. She was such a kind and loving woman. There are so many ways that I miss her day in and day out. I do know that her kind spirit is with me here. Because Kimmy always giving of herself in so many ways...
Pam Hollowich
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Kimmy was a dear friend of Guy and mine over the last 15 years, and we are so
saddened by her passing. She was much too young. She was one of our Russo
Productions models, and I am happy to share 2 of my favorite pictures of Kimmy.
Kimber was a long time member of NAAFA and always volunteered at the conventions
and dances. She always showed up at the rallies and protests that we did in the
LA and San Diego area. She worked tirelessly for fat acceptance and her friends.
She was a very sweet and kind woman, with a wicked sense of humor and a great
laugh. She also had the most beautiful blue eyes (as you can see in the
pictures) and I know she will be greatly missed by all her friends and family.
Bless you Kimberly. You are loved.
Sandie & Guy Russo |
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I met Kimber years ago at the BBW Network Las Vegas Bash and have considered her a friend ever since. I will truly miss her love, vitality, and caring. I called her Sparkle because of her bright and shining spirit. I am just devastated by her passing, though I have to say I am glad she went out when she was alive and kicking rather than down and defeated. She had a really rough time but that never stopped her from reaching out to others to offer support.
Sparkle was truly one of the nicest most generous people I ever met and I can only hope to carry a little of her around with me in my heart to pass on to other people. I hope someone lets her family know how much she was loved and is already missed. I know there are many members of the BBW Network just as saddened and hurt by her passing as I am. What I wouldn't give for just one more email from my friend. It just really hurts to know she isn't there. Life is short people and we owe it to our friend to live fully and fearlessly for our friends and family who can no longer be with us.
I hope that anyone attending the 2009 BBW Network Las Vegas bash will join me at my table on Tiara Tuesday. We will wear our tiaras and lift a glass in honor our friend who will be sorely missed. I know she will be there in spirit.
Freakie
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You Never Knew
You never knew how brightly you shined
You never knew how much your friendship meant to me
It seems too cruel to believe
You never knew how brightly you shined
I wish I could say
Stay and visit with me for just one more day
You never knew how brightly you shined
Sister
Co-conspirator
Mentor
A true friend to the end
You never knew how brightly you shined
Freakie Deakie
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