WESTMINSTER, Vt. — On Aug. 10, 2018, Kimberly Sue Cobb of Westminster, VT was given her angel wings at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon. She walked through the gates of heaven while surrounded by her family that she loved so very much. Her wings were given as a result of complications from surgery on April 30 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
Kim was born on March 10, 1959 to Hollis and Alice (Rhoades) Cobb at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Bellows Falls, Vermont. She was the surviving premature twin, who was diagnosed months later with cerebral palsy. After many complications and surgeries in her early childhood, she eventually had to make her way around in her wheelchair, often times being seen with her brothers “popping wheelies” or “four wheeling”. At age 9, Kim entered the Brandon Training School, Brandon, Vermont, where she resided for the next 23 years exploring all her capabilities. She returned back home at
age 32 to live with Mom and Dad where she was loved and cared for through the rest of her life.
Kim was in a day program at Health Care and Rehabilitation Services in Bellows Falls, Vermont where she gained the love and admiration of many wonderful people, most of them becoming lifelong friends. She was a very determined young woman who earned many medals and ribbons competing in the Vermont Special Olympics. She was also a Green Mountain Advocate. Kim made hundreds of beaded necklaces for family, friends and the annual Shoebox Campaign, Christmas boxes for children in foreign countries. She spent every day getting “loaded” with pennies, which she saved and sent
to Joni & Friends, an organization that provides wheelchairs and equipment to children in need in many different countries. Her hobbies were also scrapbooking and various crafts. She could be seen many times “bee bopping” to her favorite music, especially Elvis Presley. Kim found great joy every
year attending fairs, concerts and plays with family and friends. Her family was everything to her. She now “walks” in the clouds of heaven singing, dancing and enjoying the freedom of her body and soul being whole. Kim was a member of the Athens Community Christian Church and the Westminster
Congregational Church.
Kim is survived by her mother Alice, brothers Gary (Jean), Joel (Tammy), James (Carol), Michael (Marjorie), a sister Cindi Haskell, stepsisters Janet (Mike) Swain, Patty (Mike) Sweeney and stepbrother Jon Rogers, Jr (Sherrylynn). She is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces,
nephews, cousins and many loving caregivers.
Kim’s arrangements will take place on August 18th, burial service at 10:30 a.m. in the New Westminster Cemetery, Kurn Hattin Rd., followed by a memorial service at the Athens Community Christian Church in Athens, Vt. at noon led by Pastor Harold Noyes. A time of fellowship and celebration of Kim’s freedom will follow downstairs immediately following the service.
Kim’s family would like to thank everyone that ever touched her life and those that were touched by her.
Donations in Kim’s memory may be made to: New England Kurn Hattin Homes or Westminster Cares, both of Westminster, Vermont.
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