Kim Berthiaume, 78, died peacefully on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester with her loving family by her bedside. She was born in Korea and immigrated to the United States with her husband, Lou in 1963.

Kim and Lou met while he was in the Army stationed in Korea with Prov-Mag following the war. Kim was a young woman who caught Lou’s eye and they were quickly married. They returned to the U.S. and Kim began her journey in America and quickly assimilated to a new society. Kim eagerly began learning to speak English and about American culture to make sure that she was a fully participating citizen.  She devoted herself to raising her children and creating a beautiful home for her family.  Kim began working as a waitress at the Holden Hills Country Club and later at the William Paul House in Holden, as well as the Castle Restaurant in Leicester.  She loved people and her gregarious personality made people love her. Following her retirement, Kim began a 9-year career at Honey Dew Donuts in Rutland where her customers enjoyed their daily visits. In her free time, Kim spent countless hours tending her garden. To Kim, a garden was meant to be wherever things seemed to belong in the landscape, not just in a perfectly square area. She also enjoyed cooking and creating Korean dishes for her family, albeit they were never the same twice. A talented seamstress and knitter, many people continue to enjoy her creations. She always maintained strong ties with her culture and had many friends in the local Korean community.

Kim and her family are eternally grateful for the unending support that she received from her family, friends and her neighbors, all too numerous to count.

She will be lovingly missed by her beloved husband of 53 years, Louis D. Berthiaume; her three adoring children, Louis A. Berthiaume and his wife, Kathryn Kircher of Pittsford, NY, Susan K. Berthiaume and her husband, Art Powell and Laura A. Berthiaume all of Holden; her Korean sister, Aeng Banks of Paxton; her cherished grandchildren, Brian J. and Cody L. Berthiaume both of Pittsford, NY, Cameron L. Johnson of Holden and Alexander D. Johnson of McMinnville, TN; and countless friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Kim’s family on Thursday, February 2, from 5-8 p.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A service celebrating Kim’s life will be held on Friday, February 3, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, c/o Brigham & Women’s Hospital Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA  02116.