Kimberly Sue Luke

St. George, Utah – Kimberly Sue Luke, known by her family and friends as Kimber, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in St George, Utah on a beautiful sunlit fall morning, on September 25, 2024, between the wee hours of 4:30 and 6:30 am. She was found gently laying on her side in her bed. Kimber was 37 years old.
Our tenderhearted, quiet girl leaves behind her parents, Eric and Kathy Luke; and siblings: Amber Lynn Toole, Trevor Eric Luke, Tanner Hansen Luke and Heather Marie Domme. She also leaves behind her four in-laws: Doug, Shelece, Misty and Broque; her seven nieces and nephews: Beckham, Cosette, Sienna, Matthew, Rosemary, Avery and Hadi; her grandparents, Arlo and Jackie Luke; and 65 first cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Terry and Mary Hansen. We believe they led her welcoming party on the other side of the veil.
Kimber was the 2nd born in her family with four siblings. She was the earliest to crawl and walk and talk and seemed to have an intense focus to read books with her parents and grandparents. She started speaking early for her toddler age. But somewhere between the age of 2 and 3, some family members started noticing subtle, odd regressive behaviors that did not fit with continued normal cognitive development. She began experiencing angry, inconsolable and in retrospect frustrated tantrums. Her parents were lost what to do and sought answers that largely were never answered. Kimberly was first diagnosed with autism and then later as suffering from Rett Syndrome.
Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that occurs most often in girls, and leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child's and woman's life: their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily. The hallmark of Rett syndrome is near constant repetitive hand movements. Rett syndrome is usually recognized in children between 6 to 18 months as they begin to miss developmental milestones or lose abilities they had gained. Rett syndrome is caused by mutations on the X chromosome on a gene called MECP2.
Kimber lost her ability to speak around 2 ½ years old. Her last words were spoken one evening to her mother when in a moment of clarity, she repeated her name "Kimber" nearly 50 times. She never spoke again. Her only tool to communicate was what you could read in her deep hazel eyes. Her life was spent among family and care takers, being a silent angel. When really happy, she would jump, dance and skip around like a small bird, flitting about merrily on the branches of a tree. Often at these times, particularly to a visiting friend or neighbor she would lean her head in close to the other persons face and look and acknowledge you. Mostly, however, Kimberly was silently to herself. She depended upon family and caretakers for her every need. I am sure she is sending warm thanks to all who attended to her needs throughout her life. We appreciate those underpaid, underappreciated care givers who serve those who have the dearest needs.
Kimberly had few but for sure dedicated passions. In her early life, she loved to swim and be calmed by the elevating effects of warm pool water. Kimber loved Santa Claus. She knew, communicating with her eyes, what Christmas morning was about. She could spend hours deeply focused on picture books mostly those that featured princesses and Disney animals. Her favorite vacations were trips with her siblings to Disneyland and solo excursions to her grandparents' home and cabin for loving one on one time. Her life was spent loving Disney movies. We will forever be grateful to Walt Disney who made Kimber's life bearable. God bless you, Walt.
Some life's purpose may be to be tested, and some seem here to test and teach others; Kimberly's purpose seemed to be both. She was severely and undoubtedly unfairly personally tested in life. Adversity and inconvenience swamped her every move. Yet she was sent to provide others the opportunity to serve and try and understand, even though, understanding so rarely came. We will miss you, Kimberly. You leave us with a big hole, some regrets, but bountiful gratitude being able to learn from you, serve you, and love you. Enjoy your newfound and well-deserved freedom from your mortal chains. Please prepare a place for us where you are finally able to spread your wings, raise your voice and sing to the heavens to rejoin you. Put in a good word for us girl. God will surely listen to you.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Friday, prior to services, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Mortuary. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.
Live streaming webcast is available by clicking on the broadcast below. Webcast will remain on-line for 90 days. Kimberly Sue Luke Funeral Service Program