Kimberly Hoke Glushyn, passed away at home on January 26, 2026 in Royal Oak, MI, at the age of 71.
Kim was born January 2, 1955 in New London, Connecticut. She was raised in New England, the oldest of five kids, before her parents found their way back to Michigan in her high school years. Her childhood was marked by loving parents who passed many wonderful traits and passions on to their children. Cross country road trips in the family station wagon provided cherished memories that Kim would speak about often as well as her love of travel and the beauty of nature.
Upon graduating from Seaholm High School in 1973, where she was lucky enough to meet some lifelong friends, she headed to Michigan State University. Here she studied to become an art teacher and made many more wonderful friendships that lasted for decades to come. She was a proud MSU Alumni, always ready to cheer on her Spartans!
Kim had many talents as a cook, a gardener, an artist and crafter. She shared these talents with many. Cooking for her family and friends brought her great joy, especially a full breakfast up north, or a giant pot of soup to share with everyone. She loved having a vegetable garden and cooking with the fresh veggies of the day as well as sharing its bounty with others.
Perhaps the gift that she shared more than any other was her love of art and creativity. Her family and friends benefited from her passion as well as hundreds of students throughout her teaching career. Most of her years in education were spent teaching Middle School Art in Roseville Community Schools where she again formed many lasting and important friendships, including her Golf Girls! Kim was a respected educator and was named teacher of the year during her tenure.
After retiring, Kim was able to fully engage in her ultimate love, her family. She poured herself into her kids and grandkids, soaking up every minute she could with them. She cheered them on at every event, be it school concert, recital, or of course sporting event. She was loud in her support and pride in being their Mom and Gramma. She created many favorite traditions with her grandkids including Gramma created birthday cakes, apple picking, ice cream cones, hot cocoa up north, and gingerbread house decorating. Her love extended to all of her siblings and nieces and nephews, even traveling great distances to meet the newest members of the family in the last year of her life. The place in Kim's heart for her siblings and their families was always clear. She loved to share the latest updates from them and found true happiness in talking to them and spending time together. There was always laughter and love in their company.
Kim had the ability to make others feel welcome and loved, with her generosity and love of life. Never was this more true then if you were lucky enough to join her at her cabin in West Branch. The woods were rejuvenating for her and she loved sharing their beauty with others. Whether it was a gator ride around the property, a campfire complete with smores, late night talks on the porch or a round of cards, she was happiest there. So it would only be fitting that a celebration of her life will take place there in the spring.
The ways that Kim will be remembered are countless, from her love of a good cocktail and seafood, to her festive and creative earrings. But above all she will be remembered by the inspiration she has been to her friends and family, and her strength. Kim’s positive attitude and resilient spirit, always focusing on her blessings, despite enduring many struggles throughout her adult life are to be commended and celebrated.
Kim is preceded in death by her parents, Paul Buckingham Hoke and Evelyn Margaret (Marge) Hager Hoke, her sister, Kristin Cecere, her ‘Sister from another Mister’, Gina Vanderhoff, and husband, Barry Glushyn.
Kim is survived by her children, Kristin & Derek Smith, Michael & Nichole Klebba, Jami Savino, and her beautiful grandchildren, Jackson, Tyler, McCoy, Brookelyn, Izzy, Oi, and Maria, as well as her faithful and favorite basset hound, Tilly Mae who brought her endless hours of comfort and companionship. Her siblings, nieces and nephews, Jim & Mary-Ann Hoke (David, Julia, Sarah), Bill & Robin Hoke (Ellie, AJ, Matthew), Patty Simpson (Christopher & Ian), & Bella Cecere, father of her children/former spouse, Mike Klebba, and many wonderful and meaningful friends that loved her immensely.
Kim was a dedicated member of the Shades of Pink Walk at the Zoo Committee. If you would like to honor her with a donation please consider donating to her team, Babes and Boys. https://shadesofpinkfoundation.goodworldnow.com/c/babes-and-boys-HuSpvKz
Kim was born January 2, 1955 in New London, Connecticut. She was raised in New England, the oldest of five kids, before her parents found their way back to Michigan in her high school years. Her childhood was marked by loving parents who passed many wonderful traits and passions on to their children. Cross country road trips in the family station wagon provided cherished memories that Kim would speak about often as well as her love of travel and the beauty of nature.
Upon graduating from Seaholm High School in 1973, where she was lucky enough to meet some lifelong friends, she headed to Michigan State University. Here she studied to become an art teacher and made many more wonderful friendships that lasted for decades to come. She was a proud MSU Alumni, always ready to cheer on her Spartans!
Kim had many talents as a cook, a gardener, an artist and crafter. She shared these talents with many. Cooking for her family and friends brought her great joy, especially a full breakfast up north, or a giant pot of soup to share with everyone. She loved having a vegetable garden and cooking with the fresh veggies of the day as well as sharing its bounty with others.
Perhaps the gift that she shared more than any other was her love of art and creativity. Her family and friends benefited from her passion as well as hundreds of students throughout her teaching career. Most of her years in education were spent teaching Middle School Art in Roseville Community Schools where she again formed many lasting and important friendships, including her Golf Girls! Kim was a respected educator and was named teacher of the year during her tenure.
After retiring, Kim was able to fully engage in her ultimate love, her family. She poured herself into her kids and grandkids, soaking up every minute she could with them. She cheered them on at every event, be it school concert, recital, or of course sporting event. She was loud in her support and pride in being their Mom and Gramma. She created many favorite traditions with her grandkids including Gramma created birthday cakes, apple picking, ice cream cones, hot cocoa up north, and gingerbread house decorating. Her love extended to all of her siblings and nieces and nephews, even traveling great distances to meet the newest members of the family in the last year of her life. The place in Kim's heart for her siblings and their families was always clear. She loved to share the latest updates from them and found true happiness in talking to them and spending time together. There was always laughter and love in their company.
Kim had the ability to make others feel welcome and loved, with her generosity and love of life. Never was this more true then if you were lucky enough to join her at her cabin in West Branch. The woods were rejuvenating for her and she loved sharing their beauty with others. Whether it was a gator ride around the property, a campfire complete with smores, late night talks on the porch or a round of cards, she was happiest there. So it would only be fitting that a celebration of her life will take place there in the spring.
The ways that Kim will be remembered are countless, from her love of a good cocktail and seafood, to her festive and creative earrings. But above all she will be remembered by the inspiration she has been to her friends and family, and her strength. Kim’s positive attitude and resilient spirit, always focusing on her blessings, despite enduring many struggles throughout her adult life are to be commended and celebrated.
Kim is preceded in death by her parents, Paul Buckingham Hoke and Evelyn Margaret (Marge) Hager Hoke, her sister, Kristin Cecere, her ‘Sister from another Mister’, Gina Vanderhoff, and husband, Barry Glushyn.
Kim is survived by her children, Kristin & Derek Smith, Michael & Nichole Klebba, Jami Savino, and her beautiful grandchildren, Jackson, Tyler, McCoy, Brookelyn, Izzy, Oi, and Maria, as well as her faithful and favorite basset hound, Tilly Mae who brought her endless hours of comfort and companionship. Her siblings, nieces and nephews, Jim & Mary-Ann Hoke (David, Julia, Sarah), Bill & Robin Hoke (Ellie, AJ, Matthew), Patty Simpson (Christopher & Ian), & Bella Cecere, father of her children/former spouse, Mike Klebba, and many wonderful and meaningful friends that loved her immensely.
Kim was a dedicated member of the Shades of Pink Walk at the Zoo Committee. If you would like to honor her with a donation please consider donating to her team, Babes and Boys. https://shadesofpinkfoundation.goodworldnow.com/c/babes-and-boys-HuSpvKz
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