Kim S. Oliver
1952 ~ 2018
"Today I choose joy" was written on Kim's favorite ball-cap and that is what we are trying to do as we mourn her passing. Kim was our wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and best friend. We lost her on July 31, 2018 two days before her 66th birthday due to complications from breast cancer. We lost her too soon, but if she were writing this, she would want us not to cry, or mourn, or be sad. She would want us to celebrate her amazing life, and what an amazing life she lived! Kim was born on August 2, 1952 to Bill and Sharon Simpson in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Highland High and the University of Utah. She became a CPA and worked for the State of Utah for over 30 years, rising to be the Director of Finance for the entire State. As successful as she was in her career, she was even more accomplished as a wife, mother, stepmother and grandmother. For the last 7 years she had been enjoying her well-earned retirement with her husband by traveling all over North America in their RV before cancer cut that journey short. As her husband said shortly after she passed, obituaries are often full of kind words describing the best aspects of those that have passed, but if you knew Kim, you would know there is no hyperbole when we say that she was the best, most amazing, truly brilliant, kind and caring wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, sister, daughter and best friend any of us will ever have. We miss you Kim and will celebrate your life by trying to live like you did, choosing joy, giving the best straight talk advice when needed, sharing a laugh and a glass of wine with those we love, making everyone around us feel cherished and valued, and always remembering every grandchild's birthday with a special present just for them. Your husband, son, stepchildren, parents, brother, sister, 12 grandchildren, and hundreds of "best friends" will miss you immensely and we will never forget how happy you made us and how much you loved us. Goodbye Kim, there will never be anyone else quite like you! You truly were the best of the best to so many people.
Stephanie Gill (Carter)
I grew up with Kim on Hollywood Avenue in SLC. We played together often and had fun times. I also enjoyed her sister Shauna and wish I could track her down. I remember we particularly loved climbing the big old tree at the corner of our street. Sometimes we were naughty and threw water balloons at cars as they passed closely under the tree branches. Once we picked the wrong car for our balloon barage. The male driver stopped the car and chased us down the street! We were terrified!