Kimberly M. Hughes

Kimberly M. (Tomcik) Hughes of Kennedy Twp, PA, left a substantial hole in the world when she departed, just two days shy of her 61st birthday, the ultimate "Irish goodbye." This tremendous loss was unexpected and in direct violation of her own two weeks' notice policy. Born in Pittsburgh on October 15, 1964, Kim was the daughter of the late David J. and Joan F. (Short) Tomcik and loving big sister of Anthony "Tony" Tomcik, who greeted her in heaven with a big hug.

"Mummy" to her daughters Nicole (Stevo) Solaya and Megan (Brad) Everett, who will forever miss her laugh, warmth, chats, unsolicited advice, morbid sense of humor, unique "Happy Birthday" singing, and uncanny ability to turn even a trip to the store into an adventure. Kim's first husband, William "Bill" F. Andrews, can take credit for giving her those two daughters and many good stories. She later married Robert "Bob" E. Hughes in 1991, though, the marriage license says 1901, making them possibly the most long-standing couple in recorded history - just short of 124 years! Kim was "Grammy" to four treasured grandchildren who were the absolute light of her life: Wyatt, Katherine "Kate", Lydia, and Emily Solaya, as well as to her beloved grand-dogs, Gus, Frannie, and Riley. She is deeply loved and will be desperately missed by all of those mentioned and so many more: aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Kim's imagination was legendary, especially when it came to her imaginary dog, Oliver, who was exceptionally well-behaved and quietly judged the rest of us for ignoring him. Oliver recently made a hospital visit to comfort Brad after knee surgery and will now remain in Megan and Brad's care, where he can continue his noble work of bringing joy (and invisible fur) to their home.

Creative to her core, Kim was a master of all things crafty. Over the years, she dabbled in ceramics, painting, sewing, needlework, and so much more. She lost her muse for a few years but recently rediscovered her passion for crafts: sewing and quilting purses, cup cozies, and home décor that would rival anything on Etsy. When Lydia expressed an interest in crochet, Grammy sat patiently and worked with her until the house was filled with yarn chains. Even our family traditions were infused with her creativity: dying Easter eggs using dozens of techniques, carving intricate pumpkins, designing Thanksgiving pies with colored crust cutouts, and elaborate Christmas cookie decorating sessions accompanied by the sound of sprinkles hitting the floor and ending with a kitchen filled with love and sticky fingerprints. Sadly, her final project remains incomplete, a blanket intended for the grandchild of her lifelong friend.

Kim never met a stranger. Bob used to joke that she was "running for mayor," and it's true: if votes were counted by Starbucks baristas and pizza guys, she'd win by a landslide. We've often joked that when Kim "kicked-the-bucket" we could skip the funeral altogether and just swing by Don's Pizza then take the procession through the Starbucks drive-thru. She developed true friendships during even the most basic of social interactions. This skill served her well in her cherished time as a school bus driver. Buses 13 and 313 were special to Kim and she took great pride in the strong relationships she developed with her passengers, especially those deemed most "difficult."

In contrast to her dad's "I ain't participating" motto, in recent years, Kim's seemed to be "I AM participating!" She lived life to the fullest, taking spontaneous trips to warm places, laughing well into the morning with her cousin and family on vacation (oh, the golf cart shenanigans!), and making intentional, memory-filled adventures with her grandchildren. Every week, Grammy brought Sunday Donuts and Starbucks for family catchups because, to Kim, love was best served with coffee and sprinkles. She started a tradition of Grammy trips when Wyatt expressed an interest in meeting Winter the dolphin. They traveled all over the country on his whims, including Hawaii, making friends along the way. When Kate felt ready, they traveled to Universal Studios. They immersed themselves in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with wands, robes, and butterbeer. While Lydia was not quite ready for a full Grammy trip, she feels blessed to have had the opportunity to fly to the beach with her over the summer. After landing in Myrtle Beach, Lydia was treated to a "Yes Day" during which she collected precious seashells, starfish, and a silver dollar. Although Emily won't get a Grammy trip, they were designing an elaborate cat bed together, big enough for her and her dog to snuggle inside, complete with Kindle watching pocket.

Kim was truly the most generous and caring person. Whether that meant showing up with a gift just because, an encouraging word, or a perfectly timed laugh, she loved any opportunity to lend a hand or brighten a day. When her friend's daughter was getting married, Kim didn't just attend the wedding, she got ordained to officiate it herself, turning love and friendship into a sacred and joy-filled gift. She was the kind of person who noticed a need and filled it. When she'd see Nicole's overloaded calendar, she'd call just to ask, "Where can I jump in?" Just this month, she spent hours laughing and shopping with Megan over the phone to help her grow her fun new skeleton collection. Kim's final act of kindness was, perhaps, her greatest. She became an organ donor, and the recipients of her gifts received them on her 61st birthday – a fitting reminder that her generosity lives on.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her: family, friends, baristas, dogs both real and imaginary, and everyone lucky enough to be part of her endlessly kind, funny, and creative orbit. In Kim's honor, please say yes to something silly, make a craft you'll never finish, or learn something new about your barista. As we already find ourselves saying often, Kim/Mummy/Grammy would've loved that.

Relatives and friends received Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 4-8 PM at McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, 334 Forest Grove Road, Coraopolis (Kennedy Township) PA 15108. Funeral prayer Monday, October 20, 2025, at 9:15 AM at the funeral home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in Archangel Gabriel Parish, St. Malachy Church, 343 Forest Grove Road, Kennedy Township. Interment to follow in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Moon Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kimberly's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or (www.stjude.org).