Daughter of Gottlieb J. Kim and Rozaria "Rose" Jane Slezak, Vada Elizabeth Kim was born on August 4, 1942 in Blairsville, PA. She spent her earliest years travelling with her family and spoke affectionately of her first years in school on an Indian Reservation in the southwest. After losing her father in a tragic accident in 1951, she moved with her family to Oneonta, NY. At the age of 9, she took on the role of a little mother, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her three brothers while her mother became the sole breadwinner for their little family. In 1962, at the age of 19, Vada became the first member of her family to graduate from high school.
After marrying and beginning a lifetime of employment in variety of honorable services and industries, Vada entered into her greatest role by becoming a loving, devoted mother to two children. She spent the bulk of their childhood raising them in Hadlyme, CT, while growing gardens, making homemade spaghetti sauce and jellies, having family get togethers at Cockaponsett State Forest, and playing rousing games of Pinnochle and Canasta with her extended family.
In 1989, while working as Office Manager for a small company in Hadlyme, Vada met the love of her life, Wilfred A. Vachon, Sr. They settled for a brief time in Murfreesboro, TN, before relocating to Patton, PA, where they married in 1991. Vada enjoyed her time in Pennsylvania as they fished, fed deer, and welcomed their first four-legged friend, Squirt, to their home.
In 1998, Vada and her husband returned to Connecticut, so that she could be closer to her children and grandchildren. Settling in East Lyme, she enjoyed an active life of boating with her husband, making a home for her newest four-legged baby Starr, volunteering for many years at the Shoreline Soup Kitchen in Old Lyme, dominoes, casino visits, and time with her dear friend Bert and Bert's four-legged companion, Twinkie.
Vada's greatest pride and joy came from her children and grandchildren. She spent many hours with her grandchildren playing card games, making snowmen, playground hopping, and visiting the Book Barn and Children's Museum. Vada often said she didn't know where all their talent came from. She saw every dance recital, chorus concert, band concert, and almost every play or musical, even during college years. She delighted in the artwork of her son and his daughter. Vada and her daughter shared a love of stories and the written word.
With the most beautiful smile and her kind, caring heart, Vada was always at the ready to help anyone who needed it, whether it was with a shoulder, a kind word, a laugh or a smile. Her influence has touched many lives. She will be watching over her dearest loved ones.
Vada was predeceased by her parents, as well as her three, brothers Gottlieb "Butch" Kim, Ralph Peter Kim, and William K. Kim.
She is survived by her husband Bill and their dog Sara, daughter Nanci-Lyn Lockwood of Westbrook, son Dennis D. Lockwood Jr. of Norwich, granddaughter Brittany Vada Wigglesworth of Westbrook, grandson Edward Alexander Wigglesworth of Port Charlotte FL, granddaughter Alexis A. Lockwood of East Hartford, dearest friend Bert Morgan of Ft. Lauderdale FL, and a multitude of friends, loved ones, and extended family members. Vada loved them all.
Services are private. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Vada, please smile at someone, today and every day. We love you forever and always, our beautiful Mom and MeeMee.
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