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Kimberly Olson Obituary
Spencerport: Thursday, October 16, 2008, at age 22. Predeceased by her paternal grandparents Odeen and Ruth Olson; maternal grandfather Larry Kennedy. Survived by her loving parents Randy and Sharon (Kennedy) Olson; beloved sister Sara Olson; maternal grandmother Theresa Kennedy; aunts and uncles Lynn (Gary) Rivers, Larry Kennedy, Kari (Tom) Olson-Fumia, David (Aida) Olson and Sylvia Olson; cousins Trina, Kelly and Joe Rivers, Heather Fumia and Erika Olson; her extended family including her special neighbors, many dear friends, Creekside School and everyone at LAI Horizon Park. Our heartfelt Thanks to Dr. Howard Foye, Jr. Special Thanks to Dr. David Korones and Lifetime Care Hospice for their compassion.
Friends may call Saturday, 2-5 PM ONLY at Walker Brothers Co. Funeral Home, Inc., 15 West Avenue, Spencerport. Services and interment at the convenience of the family. Kim's family welcomes any special photo or story for their memory book. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Lifetime Assistance - Horizon Park, 100 Horizon Park, Brockport, NY 14420, or Make-a-Wish-Foundation or Rotary Sunshine Camp in Kim's memory.
"To Infinity and Beyond…"
www.walkerbrothersfh.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Kimberly Olson
Randy Olson
November 15, 2008
We’re here to say good bye to Kimmy, but I’ve never liked goodbyes. I know that she’ll live on in our hearts and in our memories. I know that now she is in a special place, a place where she truly has earned the right to be. But I want her to live on with all of us in another way too. Kimmy showed us how to love. Not just her family, relatives and such but she showed love to so many others. Whether it was her beautiful unbridled smile and expressions of joy or with the touch of her hand, Kimmy spread love and kindness everywhere she went. We all need to remember that in this often scary world there are lots of good people, people we may know but also people we don’t, and won’t know, unless we share a smile or extend a hand.
Our memories of Kim will always be with us, we will forever hold her in our hearts. But to fully remember my little girl, I ask you all to continue what she did so well. Spread joy, show love, express compassion, not only to those around you but look for others to share these with.
Kimmy was truly a blessing. I believe and have always believed she was one of God’s angels here on earth. But God needed his angel back and so she has gone, perhaps to another task (“I work” she would say). It’s now up to us, and those around us, to continue her work here.
I also have a quote I’d like to read. My apology to Pastor Keith for it’s not from the Gospel but from modern lyric:
“And the one poor child that saved this world
And there’s 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them”
I thank God for letting Kim be in my life for 22 years, I thank God for my darling daughter Sara, and I’m ever grateful for Sharon, a truly one of a kind Mom to my girls.
And Thank you all here …… for all you have been to my family.
Sara Olson
November 15, 2008
Kim was many things to many people. For me, she was my little sister, but we were also best pals. All my life, I have felt the responsibility to be her teacher, her guardian, trying to help her navigate the world- and yes, sometimes just the need to be an overbearing big sister. Once I started thinking about what to say about Kim, though, it dawned on me- she has more so been my teacher, and I have learned so much from her.
The first thing my sister taught me was infinite compassion, particularly toward those less able to express themselves in words. My sister had a special place in her heart for babies and children, animals (particularly her good friend Clayton) and her friends at school and program. Most of us tend to focus on the words we say rather than what we truly mean. My sister could speak without using a single word, and to “hold hands” was a direct link to your heart. To someone who did not know my sister well, I suppose it seemed a little shocking to see the condition of “her guys” over the years. Well-meaning (yet misguided) attempts to provide my sister with a new Buzz or Tommy P were always in vain- the sizeable and untouched collection of Buzzes on her shelf are a testament to this. I myself had chided her on more than one occasion- “Kim, Buzz’s leg is falling off again!” or, “Tommy has no eyes anymore!” Yet these little friends- Buzz, Tommy, Baby Bear- have been through everything with my sister- the good, the bad, and a bit of ugly. So they were a little worse for the wear. (Ok, a lot!). But that can be said of anyone, I suppose. Kim has taught me to never forget those who were there for you when you most needed them, because they are your true friends. Kim has always known that life is about the people you know, and it is because of her than I have known some of the best of the best.
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My sister has taught me a thing or two about dignity. Kim liked to look her best for others (even if the process of cleaning up usually gave my Mom a run for her money) and demanded to be treated as a whole person. My sister clung fiercely to her independence, even as it was slowly chipped away from her over the years. Actions we consider small, such as tidying up the bathroom or arranging Buzz “just so” on her pillow, were her affirmations to the world that “I am present, and I shall not be dismissed.”
My sister has also taught me over years the true definition of a fighter. There have been many days that I wondered what made her keep going; where she found the strength to greet each new day with her trademark smile. Quite frankly, I don’t know if any of us could have done it. I hope to have a fraction of the courage she has shown.
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My sister has also taught me to the power of laughter, as she had one of the best senses of humor I have ever known. Whenever I did something sneaky, like give Kim chocolate chips before dinner, and told Kim “Don’t tell Mom!”; she would solemnly stare at me with her big blue eyes and repeat, “Shh! Don’t tell Mom.” Inevitably, the minute Mom would walk in the door, Kim would start calling her. “Mom! Mom! ‘M’ere!” and promptly fill her in on exactly what her big sister had been up to. Yet I fell for it every time. She was also always trying to steal my boyfriends, and she probably would have been successful I wasn’t around to constantly watch for her “hand on the knee.” Kim found hilarity in disaster and counted George from Seinfeld as one of her favorites. I think one of her favorite phrases was “Oh no!”, second perhaps only to just plain “No!”
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I will miss my sister, “my Kim.” I will miss her cheddar cheese and ham every day; her saving me from the dog and her yelling “Don’t eat Sara!”; her beers (and laughs!) with Amy; and getting updates on the Merritts’ every move. I will miss the orange Buzz shirt (and green Buzz), sharing a bed on vacations, and my own living GPS system. I may even miss doing the neck…and back…and hands…and feet. Mostly, I will miss all of our songs.
I could speak forever about how Kim has touched my life, but it would be nothing new to any of you here today. To me, she was my sister, my confidant, my rival, my friend, and most recently my teacher. I have been blessed to have her light in my life for 22 years. And I have enough happy memories from those years to last me a lifetime. All I can hope and pray for is that we can remember, every day, all that she has taught us, and pass those lessons on to those we will continue to meet in our own short lives.
Sylvia Olson
November 9, 2008
Kim’s journey was one of beauty and laughter, love and friendship. Her journey was also powerful and heroic, a voyage filled with rough weather and whitewater. Kim’s boat was small, and so was her paddle. Much of her journey was upstream, and she crossed many a wide lake, but she smiled through it, and amazed us all with her strength.
She was surrounded by many other paddlers along the way, her family and friends. Kim was a teacher. We learned to be strong and humble in her presence. We learned to listen closely, in ways we never listened before. We learned Kim’s language, and spoke it with her. We learned that, like Kim, we can create our own universe of happiness, live there, and find happiness and peace all around us, in the smallest of things.
We learned that a gentle touch can be the most satisfying gift we can give. We learned to count our blessings, and Kim was one of them. We learned to think twice about complaining about our pains, when someone so small and gentle would endure so much more than we would ourselves.
Kim saw the deer, and reminded us to treasure our world, and listen to every voice, no matter how small. Kim’s gifts to us are uncountable, and we will always have them to treasure.
Now we will pick up our paddles, and continue the journey. The world is so full of life and beauty, and we will love each other, and love those who travel with us still—silently gliding in the mists at the edge of the lake, hidden in the cattails, or just out of sight, behind a moss-covered island of ancient boulders.
It is the journey, not the destination, that matters.
sharon Penta
October 27, 2008
Sharon,I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.Kim will always be with you in your heart and your memories.
May God Bless You!
Jessica Furst
October 21, 2008
Dear Sara,
I will never forget the smile that beamed across Kimmy's face when she came to visit her much adored big sister at Cornell. The adoration was mutual and I knew the bond between you and Kimmy went beyond just sisterhood. I know this is an immeasurable loss for your family. I hope however, that you can find some comfort in knowing how many lives Kimmy's beautiful and loving spirit touched.
With my deepest sympathy,
Carly Smolick
October 20, 2008
Sara,
I am so sorry for your loss. From the stories you would tell at work, it was obvious that you and your family share a great deal of love for each other, which will undoubtedly get you through this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and my prayers. ~Carly
Sue Burek
October 20, 2008
Sharon, Randy and Sara,
We are saddened to hear of Kim's passing. Such a loving, happy girl, and what a delight to know her. I remember many times when Tonya & Sara would visit each other and the smile on Kimmy's face when she saw us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sue and Tim Burek
Caren Armstrong
October 18, 2008
Sara,
I was so sorry to hear about Kimmy's passing. I was always so happy when she made it to our concerts-- her obvious love of music & especially your singing really left a lasting impression on me. You have been in my thoughts quite often, & I send you my best wishes & love.
Chris Huntoon
October 18, 2008
To Kimmy's family, Although I never worked with Kim at Creekside she and I became very good friends. She, Shelly and I often had lunch together her last two years at Creekside and she invited me to her classroom parties. She was a delight to all the knew her. She was a little ray of sunshine. I have frequently thought of her since her graduation. May she now know comfort as she gives "to infinity and beyond" new meaning.
She will be missed by many.
Carol Kline
October 17, 2008
Randy, Sharon, & Sara:
I am so sorry for your loss. Kim was always such a joy to be around and always had a smile for everyone. I will always remember our special "faces" at each other while we traveled in the back seat when your were visiting here or I was visiting you. I also have no doubt that her Uncle Morris was one of the many people to greet her as she entered heaven. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.
Love Carol
Kathe Cleveland, Mary Lou Pray
October 17, 2008
Randy, Sharon and Sara we are so sorry about Kim's passing. I am so glad she got to go to camp this year she was so happy about it at Lexy's graduation party. Our prayers are with you as well as our love
Colleen Horton
October 17, 2008
I am so sorry to hear about Kim's passing. As you know I too lost a son who would have been the same age as Kimmie. Kim was always fun to work with, and most every time put a smile on my face. She will be missed and always remembered!
Don't be afraid to call if you need anything! Take care of yourselves!
Love
Colleen "C" Horton
Nell Herman
October 17, 2008
Randy,
You, Sharon, Sara and your extended family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anythng that I can do.
Kathleen Moyse
October 17, 2008
Randy, I am so sorry to hear about Kim. I lost one of my son's so I truely know what you are going through. Will talk anytime you need to on your initiation only. You and yours as well as Kim are in my prayers. -Kathleen
Lisa Adolphson
October 17, 2008
Randy I am so sorry for your loss. If you and your famiy need anything, please call. Lisa and everyone here at Naz.
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