Kimberly Edith Kudym

Kimberly Edith Kudym

November 20, 1958 – November 20, 2020

Newburyport, MA – At age 62, I’ve now moved on, hopefully to The Good Place. Or, maybe whatever energy left my body became absorbed into a new visitor at our suet feeders so I can keep tabs on my husband Joe Teixeira and our three dogs.  I spent the last four and a half years in and out of treatment for stage four Ovarian Cancer during a most interesting and crazy period in history. I do believe that most people are amazing, benevolent beings and must continue to seek each other out and work together to get through this dark time. It is the only way to turn things around for a more peaceful, safe and equitable existence.

I will miss all of you, especially my husband.  He has been my rock throughout this and up until COVID-19, was right next to me for 95% of all my treatments, procedures, hospital stays and doctor appointments. During our 27 years together, we had some great adventures, hiking and snorkeling trips to other countries, summer vacations on Maine islands, especially Bailey Island.  We were fortunate to be able to travel and see so much of our world, but for me, the best times were just being home together, especially after he retired in May 2019, having our morning coffee while reading the news and our daily walks with the dogs.

I will also miss the many wonderful friends I’ve met through various city commissions when I moved to Newburyport from Rowley in 1988.  One of my proudest and joyous moments was in 2011 while serving on the Off-Leash Committee, finally convincing City Council to pass the Off-leash Ordinance for three parks in Newburyport.  I will miss the many friends and colleagues at the Lawrence Public Schools and Triton Middle School, my canine clients and their human companions from the Camp Kudym years, my friends from the Amesbury Duplicate Bridge Club and the most recent friends I met while volunteering at Anna Jacques Hospital and Avita Assisted Living with our therapy dogs, Carlos and Kaitlyn who quickly figured out which staff members kept the best tasting treats. We thoroughly enjoyed those visits until the pandemic forced the program’s shut down. Our third dog, Frida, wasn’t quite suitable for the job but at home she was my shadow and fierce protector. As long as Dad remembers to freshen your water three times daily, go easy on him, girl!

I was predeceased by two great human beings, my parents, Marie Kudym and Don Kudym, Sr.  To my brothers, Don and Ken my heart breaks to leave you both. What fantastic memories we made as kids, and later as slightly more mature adults at our family get-togethers! And to my dearest girlfriends, including my cousin Veronica, thank you for all the love and laughs throughout the years, particularly when I needed it most. There is nothing more valuable in life than good friends and I cherished each and every one of you.

I also sadly leave behind my nieces and nephews, Holly, Ryan, Samira, Rui, Jill, Joey, Matthew, Noah and Dylan, my brother-in-law Jeff Teixeira and his wife, Mary Jo Connelly of Somerville, MA, two sisters-in law, Kim Kudym (who could resist taking that great Ukrainian surname?)  Mary Mullaney and her husband Barry of Needham, MA, and many cousins.  Also, my loving aunts, stepmother and step mother-in-law who have shared their insight and wisdom, influencing me in many ways: Christine Kudym of Southbridge, Mass, Heidrun Teixeira of Longmeadow, MA, Edith Femia of Rye, NH and Aunt Betty Vela of Fort Morgan, CO.

I hope you all live long and well. Try to help others, support land conservation and the arts, shop local and plant more trees until your time comes to leave, too. Don’t forget to put out some tacos de carnitas with a decent pico de gallo sauce and a couple of dark chocolate Dove Bars on the Day of the Dead altar for me. Adios!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Essex County Greenbelt.