Kimberly Alberta Marie Hansen

Kimberly Alberta Marie Hansen died peacefully at home in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on February 23, 2025, with her husband, Jamie Thomson, at her side.

Kim was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on January 17th, 1961, to Carol Hansen (nee Davis) and David Hansen. Young Kim enjoyed kicking around the sandy trails of the Greenwood Airways Trailer Park and summer visits with her father in Halifax where she helped to dispatch cabs and polished her sweet tooth. Carol and stepfather Patrick Ezekiel moved their family to Newfoundland where Kim attended high school in Mount Pearl and worked at the local McDonalds, sparking her lifelong love for French fries. After a stint in Katimavik and touring from Vancouver to Ecuador, she graduated with an Honours BSc. in Psychology (1986, Memorial). Returning to Nova Scotia, she married her partner Mark Russell in 1989 and worked at Hogie’s Steakhouse with her sister, Kelly, and stepmother Judy while completing her BSc.in Occupational Therapy (Dalhousie 1991).

Throughout her career, Kim made a difference. From Bridgewater to Capital Health to Community Care in Halifax and a memorable year in Yellowknife, she was a tireless advocate for her clients, young and old. Kim networked colleagues, vendors, and charities with compassionate tenacity to bring dignity and comfort to homes from Dartmouth to Spryfield to Peggy’s Cove. Through it all, Kim met the necessities of case triage and turnover with a quiet, determined, professionalism.

Kim found balance in her life gardening, birdwatching, painting and in photography. She enjoyed a night on the town for a meal and some local music but particularly enjoyed time with family and friends in relaxed conversation or perhaps a game, which she would play to win, be it Hearts or Scrabble. Back from the north in 2002, with a new mortgage and an old house she captured a wayward handyman and began a 22-year relationship with Jamie, her eventual husband and caregiver.

Kim’s spirit was constantly challenged by her physical health. She stoically endured miscarriages, endometriosis and CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) before her fatal encounter with Lewy Body Dementia.

Kim was predeceased by her father David Hansen and is survived by her mother Carol Ezekiel and stepfather Patrick Ezekiel of Halifax; sister Kelly Hansen and Roy Lockyer of New Germany; brother David Alexander Hansen and Denise Parrot of Halifax; stepmother Judy Hennigar of North Noel Road, Nova Scotia, stepdaughter Kirsten Roul and stepson Daniel (DJ) Thomson both of Hamilton Ontario. Kim is warmly remembered by her many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on March 15th at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, 6199 Chebucto Road, Halifax. A private interment will be held later this year at Gaspereau Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Easter Seals Nova Scotia (https://easterseals.ns.ca/).