Kimberly Lynn Blessing

Kimberly Lynn Blessing May 1, 1963 - September 3, 2015 Kimberly Lynn Blessing (Novak) May 1, 1963 - September 3, 2015 Kimberly Lynn Blessing (Novak), age 52, of St. Augustine, FL, returned peacefully home to her blessed Savior on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital with her family by her side. Kim was born in Cleveland, Ohio and was a longtime resident of Lakewood, Ohio. It was in Lakewood that Kim and her husband, Larry settled to raise their son, Larry Jr. A true labor of love, being a stay at home mother was Kim's greatest joy. She was an active participant in every facet of her child's life. She volunteered at his school, watched him play T-ball, took him to church, got him involved with youth group activities, and made sure his needs were taken care of before her own. It was also in Lakewood that Kim found her church home with the West Shore Church. It was there that she and her family were baptized and where they made lifelong friends who helped nurture her as she discovered the true extent of her relationship with Jesus Christ. Always a faithful Christian, Kim found renewed strength and comfort in Him with the help of her friends at West Shore Church. Having dealt for many years with Essential Thrombocythemia, a blood disorder so rare that many doctors had never heard of it, finding a research team at The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL was enough to cause the Blessing family to relocate. In the spring of 2014, they moved to St Augustine, FL to be close to both the clinic and to family. It was very hard for Kim to leave her beloved grandson, Mason and move to Florida, but her health had to come first. Kim brought with her the religious zeal she discovered in Ohio and quickly built a network of caring friends in church, youth groups, and in prayer groups. Ironically, it was that very network of people who helped support her family through these last days. Kim's spirit is living in their kind hearts and looking after those she loved even after she is gone. We will be eternally grateful to her for that final gift of love. Speaking of final gifts of love, it should be known that Kim was a self-designated organ donor and because of her donation, two blind people have been given the gift of sight. She will also be a part of the ongoing research at the Mayo Clinic, in hopes of helping others with Essential Thrombocythemia. Kim had the biggest, kindest, most forgiving heart anyone could imagine. She didn't let life jade her. We can take a lesson in forgiveness from this loving woman. We can also learn about facing adversity in life as we remember her and look at all of her smiling pictures. Her exuberant sense of humor never dulled, even as she battled illness. It was impossible to be around her for any amount of time and not end up laughing. Kim loved spending time with her family, listening to music, cheering on her beloved Cleveland Browns, or just talking and reminiscing. Kim is survived by the love of her life - her devoted husband, Larry Blessing Sr.; her only child, Larry Blessing Jr.; her mother, Judy McQuade of Lakewood, OH; her father Charles Novak (Linda) of Painesville, OH; her brother, Michael McQuade of Lakewood, OH; her beloved grandson, Mason Blessing of Lakewood, OH; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Victoria Kolodny (McQuade), as well as her dear Grandmother, Lucille Love (Karkoff) and her Uncles Harvey & David Love, who were more brothers to her than uncles. May they rejoice together in Heaven until we meet again! A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon at the Good News Church, World Golf Village Campus, 134 Poole, St. Augustine, FL 32095. Sharon Butler, of Canton, OH, Kim's closest friend, will be delivering the eulogy. Our family will follow up with a celebration of life dinner gathering at one of our homes. In lieu of flowers, please honor Kim by making a donation to the family's expenses at http://www.gofundme.com/blessing22