Kimberly Jo Hecht, 54, lost her two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer July 11, 2013.
Kim and her twin brother were born Feb. 17, 1959, to Jack and Sharon Wilkinson in Bellingham, Wash. The family moved to Lewiston in July of 1960.She attended school in East Wenatchee, Wash., and later in Salt Lake City. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1976.
Kim married Greg Arnzen in 1976 and they had two children, Travis James and Charity Lynn. That marriage ended in divorce, and Kim moved to Concrete, Wash., in 1979. In 1982, she and Steve Nick had a son, Eliah John, and in 1985 another son, Joshua Leigh.
Kim and Roger Hecht were married July 14, 1989, combining a family of seven children. They resided in Oak Harbor, Wash., where Roger was enlisted in the U.S. Navy. The couple moved to Lewiston after Roger retired.
Kim tended bar for 19 years before discovering her passion to help others in the health care field. She went back to school and earned her degree as a certified nursing assistant, working for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center until she was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and could no longer work. She loved her job and loved caring for people, especially the elderly, and they loved her. The professionals she worked with recognized and respected her special qualities.
She was an avid fan of NASCAR racing, camping out, fishing and spending time with her family. She thoroughly enjoyed life. If Kim could say one last thing to all of her friends and family, it would be "Love on ya, 2-2-much. TEEHEE!"
Kim is survived by her husband, Roger Hecht, at their home in Lewiston; sons Travis (Kristi) Arnzen of Portland, Ore., Eliah (Michelle) Nick, and Joshua (Valerie) Nick of Lewiston; and her daughter, Charity (Leon) Sandstrom of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Stepchildren include Gary Hecht, Jason Hecht and Amanda Hecht. She is survived by her father, Jack (Shirley) Wilkinson of Lewiston; mother Shari Mitchell of Clarkston; brothers John (Jean) Wilkinson of Walla Walla, Cory Wilkinson and Wes Wilkinson of Lewiston, C. Duane (Julie) Mitchell of Clarkston; and stepsisters Nancy Anderson of Fort Mohave, Ariz., and Gean Coltrane of Anchorage, Alaska; 16 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Cliff Mitchell.
Services are at 3 p.m. Sunday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave., Lewiston.
