Kimberley Martinez

1962 - 2025

Kimberley Martinez
04/01/1962 - 07/25/2025
Kimberley Sankey Martinez, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away on July 25, 2025, at the age of 63, after a courageous thirteen-year journey with Alzheimer's Disease. Born on April 1, 1962, in Columbus, Ohio, Kim spent her formative years in Denver, Colorado, where her innate intelligence, determination, and kindness first began to shine.
From a young age, Kim distinguished herself as an exceptional student and athlete. Her talents in the pool led her to set a state swimming record in high school, a testament to her discipline and tenacity.
Kim's academic talent led her to Stanford University, where she earned both her undergraduate degree and her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Her passion for learning extended beyond the classroom; as a bilingual scholar, Kim spent part of her college years studying and working in Germany, embracing new cultures and experiences.
She embarked on a career in finance, first in investment banking and later in investment management, where her sharp mind and steady leadership inspired colleagues and clients alike. It was at Barclays Global Investors in San Francisco that she met her life partner, John. Together, they built a partnership rooted in shared values-devotion to family, commitment to health and fitness, and a joyful appreciation for life's lighter moments.
In 1997, Kim made the profound decision to step away from her professional career to focus on building her family. She was a kind and nurturing mother, engaging her young children in a myriad of enriching activities. An avid piano player, she filled the house with music ranging from classical and ragtime to the score from Harry Potter. As an April Fool's Day child, her birthdays were celebrated with practical jokes including short-sheeted beds and frozen underwear.
Even as she dedicated herself to raising Alex, Miles, and Tara, her sense of purpose and community never waned. Kim volunteered with Kid's Turn, a non-profit dedicated to supporting children through the challenges of divorce. Her leadership and vision quickly elevated her to Chairman of the Board, where she guided the organization's growth, curriculum development, and fundraising efforts, with a compassionate heart and strategic mind.
As her children entered elementary school, Kim continued her legacy of service volunteering at their school. She eventually joined the Board of Directors, where her expertise in finance helped steward the school through the uncertainties of the global financial crisis, always placing the well-being of students and families at the forefront.
Kim's journey with Alzheimer's was met with extraordinary grace, courage, and resilience. Supported by her loving family, friends, and community, she continued to inspire those around her with her spirit and warmth. She is survived by her devoted husband John; her cherished children, Alex, Miles, and Tara; her father, Noel; and her brothers, Kevin and Colin.
Kim will be remembered for her omnipresent smile, spontaneous laughter, crinkle in her nose and twinkle in her eyes, along with her intellect, generosity, boundless energy, and the profound love she shared with all who knew her. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy of kindness, leadership, and compassion will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and all whose lives she touched.