Kimberley Joy Marie Acorn - Dartmouth

"I come from a line of strong women."

That was as far as Kim got in writing her obituary before she left this world on August 3, 2022. The word 'strong' exemplifies, in every way, how Kim lived her life and valiantly lived with pancreatic cancer for the last 3 months. There was a lot to get done in that period, important stuff like golfing and swimming and going on the "Lemonade Tour" in her camper van to visit loved ones. And she did it all with the same dignity and spirit with which she lived her 60 years. Without question, the highlight of the last 3 months was her (re)marriage to the love of her life, George.

Kim is survived by her husband George Hunt, stepsons Gavin and Garrett Hunt (Ashley), mother Jan Sarsfield (Ron Stonier), father Robert Acorn (Thelma), and brother Rick Stonier, as well as her second family, the Whitmans (Dave, Paulette, Lori and Cathy). The number of people that call Kim their best friend is too many to count. She had the ability to converse and connect with a wide range of people and revelled in diversity. When Kim formed a friendship with someone, it was not a passing thing; Kim signed on for life and loved life with all of her heart. She strongly believed that friends are the family we choose. A more patient and caring person you would never find; the kind of caring person who comforts the doctor who has just told her she has terminal cancer, because she can tell he feels bad.

Perhaps the only thing that surpassed her love of people and travel adventures was the passion she had for her profession as a teacher. After graduating from Lawrencetown High school, Kim went to Acadia University and graduated in 1985. She worked as an au pair in France before returning to Acadia to get her degree in Special Education and later went on to earn her Masters in Education.

Ms Acorn started her career teaching at J.R. Smallwood Collegiate (Wabush, NL) in 1987, and then went to Ross Road Junior High School (Dartmouth, NS). Next, she became vice-principal at Gaetz Brook Junior High School (Chezzetcook, NS). She moved on to be Principal at Clayton Park Junior High (Halifax, NS), and then Madeline Symonds Middle School (Hammonds Plains, NS), from where she retired in 2020. Kim was greatly admired by superiors, colleagues, and students for her ability to "fix things" and get things done in her ever so amicable way. And, despite being a fantastic teacher and administrator, Kim always said that she never taught her students nearly as much as they taught her; they were her heroes and her joy.

Kim's enthusiasm for life, for friends, and for her career was remarkable. But, above all, Kim was a relentlessly positive and good person. Her favorite phrase "Panic Sequentially" is a bit of advice we should all take into consideration from time to time!

Special thanks to all the medical staff, and to her friends that were there for Kim with their loving support.

A celebration of Kim's life will take place at 1:00pm on Friday, August 12, 2022 in Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, toll free 1-855-825-3448.