Kimberly Brooks

  Kimberly "Kim" Brooks, 56, passed away at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, November 3, 2024, after an illness.  

  Many individuals knew Kim but few knew her life story.  She was born and educated in Ware, Massachusetts, a daughter of Lester Brooks Jr. and Doris Moyer.  Kim, as she preferred to be called, was very good at creating things with her hands.  She loved to bake and garden, loved sports both participating when she could and as a spectator.  She enjoyed watching movies and reading.  She also assisted the kitchen staff during summer camp at the Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation. 

  Kim was an empathetic, kind, understanding and nonjudgmental individual.  She never judged people but rather met them where they were and accepted all their idiosyncrasies.  When she lost the love of her life, Kenneth Heatley, she never complained.  When she was forced to drive more than 90 miles (each way) on the country back roads of Pennsylvania to dialysis at 4 a.m. four times a week, she never complained.  When she was involved in a life-threatening auto accident on a dialysis day that landed her in the hospital with broken extremities and a destroyed automobile, she never complained.  And when she financially fell on hard times, she never complained.  Instead, she did the very best with the resources she had and never blamed anyone for her circumstances or complained about them.

  Kim is survived by two daughters, Nina Thornton of North Carolina, and Julia Heatley of Rhode Island;  a brother, Lester W. Brooks III;  six sisters, Cassandra Wise of Kentucky, Michele Stephens of Ware, MA, Lavender Marengo (and husband, Rich Marengo) of RI, Michelle Smith (and husband, Dave Smith) of Ludlow, MA, Georgianna Karpoff (and husband, Mark Karpoff) of Southampton, MA, and Gail Forrette of Kentucky;  a host of other relatives;  and many friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kimberly Brooks, please visit our floral store.