Kim Y Messer

Kim Yvonne Messer, beloved daughter of Richard K. and Katherine J. Messer and loving wife of Norman Allen Ruby, Jr., entered into rest, surrounded by her devoted family, on Friday, May 29, 2015, at Hospice and Community Care in Mt. Joy, PA.

Born in Lancaster, PA on June 24, 1961, Kim graduated from Solanco High School in 1979 and studied business at Millersville University and Franklin & Marshall College. She began her career at Science Press in Ephrata, PA and continued at both Zellem Printing & Communications and Sir Speedy/H & H Graphics. Kim was most recently employed at Neiman Group in Harrisburg and Philadelphia where she was an award-winning print buyer and producer.

Kim embraced life and valued the relationships that made her life so rich.  She and her husband, Allen, shared nearly fifteen years of happiness, including traveling and annual reunions with friends in Stone Harbor, NJ. Kim also enjoyed flower gardening, photography, birds’ nests, oil painting and cooking. Organizing events and entertaining family and friends were two of her most favorite activities. She very much enjoyed her precinct work and the friendships made as a Donegal Democratic Committee member.

Kim and her mother helped launch “Facing Cancer Together,” an interactive, community education partnership of Lancaster General Health, WellSpan Health, and Pinnacle Health, with WITF, to increase knowledge about cancer.

Kim had a generous, kind heart with a ready smile for everyone she met. Countless people have found inspiration in Kim’s positive attitude, determination, dedication, and courage. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

In addition to her husband and parents, Kim is survived by a step-daughter, Virginia B. Ruby of Camp Hill, a brother, Michael K. Messer, many aunts, uncles, cousins, devoted lifetime friends, as well as, newfound friends and neighbors.

A service for Kim will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 11AM at Smedley-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, 29 N. Gay Street, Marietta, PA 17543 with Pastor Sam Fry officiating. Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday, June 5, 2015 from 7-9PM and again on Saturday, June 6th, from 10 until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, Kim’s family requests that you plant something beautiful to enjoy in her memory. Contributions may be made to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute at www.LancasterGeneralHealth.org/cancer and/or Hospice Community Care; P.O. Box 4125; Lancaster, PA 17604.