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Kim Manghisi was called up to God today at the age of sixty-four
following her lionhearted fight with cancer spanning over two years. She left
this Earth to meet St. Peter being surrounded by loving family in her
Yorktown Heights home. She is survived by her two children: Michael, 29,
and Monica, 24. Additionally, Kim bid farewell to her two cousins, Judi and
Michael Nicolich.
Kim was born on Saturday, September 14 th, 1957 in Perth Amboy,
New Jersey to Stanley and Mercedes Kudzin. Kim was of Italian, Croatian,
and Polish descent. Later, the Kudzins moved to New Paltz in upstate Ulster
County, New York, where she spent her childhood and adolescence. Kim
earned her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at
New Paltz, before acquiring her Master's in Public Health (M.P.H.) from the
distinguished New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York. She then
moved downstate to New York City to begin her career in the nursing field
by kindheartedly helping those who needed it the most.
Kim spent her career doing what she truly enjoyed: nursing. Kim
worked in a multitude of specialties, including the Intensive Care Unit,
making groundbreaking strides towards HIV/AIDS research, homecare,
pediatrics, dermatology, and more. From 1981 to 1992, Kim worked for
Mount Sinai Hospital, one block away from Central Park. After her
departure from Mount Sinai, she furthered her nursing expertise working for
Beth Israel Hospital. Later, she worked for a private practice dermatology
office located in Westchester County.
Afterwards, with her foot already in the door as a Pediatrics nurse for
Mount Kisco Medical Group; Kim made a significant move upwards,
securing herself a position as a Patient Care Manager for their OB/GYN
department situated on their flagship campus. This elevated managerial
position culminated Kim's extensive career in healthcare. Kim retired from
healthcare in the late 2000's, spanning a career of over 27 years of
dedication towards improving the quality of life of others.
Later in life following her retirement, Kim managed her own vacation
rental home business located in St. Petersburg, Florida, happily hosting
guests from all over the world. She also rented part of her own residence in
Yorktown Heights to a wide variety of people, from IBM technicians and
nuclear power plant operators, to gourmet cooks attending the prestigious
"Culinary Institute of America" in nearby Duchess County.
Kim was a natural "people person", having the ability to light up any
room with her illustrious glow and that signature cheek-to-cheek smile.
Those who knew Kim will never forget her contagious laugh; always able to
convince others to join in on whatever amused her. This outgoing
personality served her fantastically in building, managing, and growing her
newfound business. Business partners and contractors that Kim hired even
long after the job was done would always go out of their way to ask her
children, "How's your Mom doing? She's an amazing woman." Mom truly
shone as a person who could strike up a conversation and make friends with
anyone, from bank tellers to landscapers, of whom she'd often offer a glass
of water while working during those humid New York summers.
Kim loved domestic and international travel, walking with close
friends, and piecing together her vast collection of jigsaw puzzles.
Additionally, Kim was an avid tennis fan. During the French Open, her
focus would shift eagerly towards Venus Williams, Andre Agassi, Rafael
Nadal, and more. She also loved to help others who were struggling, as she
did in various support groups including Al-Anon, Overeaters Anonymous,
and her favorite group, WeightWatchers. However, spending time with her
children whom she loved dearly was always at the top of her list. Michael
and Monica were Kim's shining pride. Upon learning of her initial diagnosis
of Stage IV glioblastoma in March of 2020, the steadfast mother's only
concern was for the wellbeing of her children. She was often quoted by
friends and family as saying, "I'm not worried about me; I'm worried about
my kids". This was just another shining example of Kim's dedication and
selflessness towards her loved ones.
Kim was a strong woman her entire life. Proudly independent, she
always carried herself with a "can-do" attitude. Being born with the true
nursing instinct, Kim always felt the need to help others first before setting
time aside for herself. Through thick and thin, Kim rarely complained,
despite being handed more than a few challenges throughout her bright life.
Whereas the average lifespan for glioblastoma is a mere six months, Kim
made sure to set that illness straight in Kim's signature way: staring it right
in the face and proceeding onwards for more than twenty six months
following her diagnosis. Nothing was going to stop her from living life on
her own terms.
Kim's only concern was to give her children a life of happiness and
support, which she succeeded in doing with flying colors. We're extremely
grateful to have known such a joyous, wonderful, loving woman like Kim
Manghisi, and we hope you'll join us in celebrating her memory.
Family and friends are invited to attend a remembrance of Kim's life,
which will be held at Yorktown Funeral Home, 945 East Main Street, Shrub
Oak, NY, 10588. To offer your words of support or condolence, please visit
WEBSITE NAME ----- GET FROM YFH. Donations may be made to
Columbia University's Department of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center.
Donations also may be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation, where Kim
made generous contributions these last two years. https://www.givenow.columbia.edu/?_sa=16367andamp;_sd=534 (https://www.givenow.columbia.edu/?_sa=16367andamp;_sd=534)#
glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate
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