Kimberly Louise Rigby

Kimberly Louise Rigby (nee Bracknell) passed away unexpectedly on July 30, 2024.
She was born on November 15, 1974, in Aurora, Illinois and was a native of Cincinnati. She was loved deeply by her husband Dean Rigby. The two ‘love birds’ had recently celebrated their 7th anniversary with a trip to Erie, PA.

She is survived by her husband Dean, her mother Claudia Heaberlin, brother Gary (Kim D.) Bracknell, niece Leah Bracknell, uncles Tom Heaberlin, Dan (Paula) Heaberlin and Richard Bracknell, aunt Macy Bracknell, her father-in-law Joel D. Rigby of Mississippi and several cousins. Her beloved grandmother Dorothy L. Heaberlin recently passed away in 2021. Her numerous friends included her long term closest friends “Binkie” and Jeff Denardi and Sherry and Jay Weingartner.

Kimberly graduated from Princeton High School in1993 where she was a member of the band and drill team. She studied briefly at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash. She had quite an adventurous life, working in several occupations including the restaurant industry, receptionist, and Paramount’s Kings Island. At the time of her passing, she was employed by Titan transfer, INC of West Chester where she drove an eighteen-wheeler.
Despite long hours and rude people on the phone (!) she was able to travel to many places in the United States and helped to train several other drivers. In fact, she met her husband Dean, who was also an over the road truck driver at that time.

Kim Bravely fought Stage 4 Lymphoma for several years, which started in her earlier 30’s. She bravely fought Lymphoma having endured many rounds of chemotherapy radiation, and finally a stem cell transplant. Lymphoma had ravaged her body with tumors in her lung, adrenal grands, numerous other organs as well as a tumor wrapped around the spine causing a compression fracture. It started quietly initially having been diagnosed as a back strain. Had it not been for the persistence of the numerous doctors, nurses, and medical staff of Oncology Hematology Care at the Jewish Hospital location, her life’s journey would have been very different. Despite her weakened condition while hospitalized, she generously helped to console, educate, and encourage other patients on the medical unit. Kim was proudly cancer free for over 15 years.

Kimberly was a true warrior, a strong woman. She fought through some difficult times in her life. Her infectious smile, kindness, generosity and humorous joking nature will be remembered by all who met her. She lit up the room wherever she went. Kimberly was deeply dedicated to her family and many friends, all of whom loved her (except of course, that one girl in high school who called her a rather unkind name. Kim let her know not to mess with a warrior!)

Memorial services will be held at the Arlington Memorial Gardens Funeral Home located at 2155 Compton Road in Cincinnati, Ohio 45231, on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM, when the services will begin.

Kimberly will be laid to rest at Arlington Memorial Gardens after a private family committal.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at https://www.lls.org/ or by mail to PO BOX 22324, New York, NY 10087 or donate by phone at 1-888-557-7177 to help continue research for the cue and treatment of others affected by Lymphoma.

Please smile, be kind and loving to others and spread light and laughter to everyone around you. And lastly, remember to hug your dog. Kimberly would have wanted it that way!