Subscribe to updates for Kimberly McAfee

Remembered for her loving heart and vivacious spirit, Kimberly “Nonni” Ilene McAfee, 53, passed away on January 14, 2015 in Playa Coronado, Panama. Born on April 12, 1961 in Defiance, Ohio, Kimberly was a daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother, best friend, and all around amazing woman. She is survived by her husband and best friend of more than 22 years, Michael Wandtke; mother, Marilyn McAfee; sister, Lisa McAfee; children, Collin (Vivian Zhang) Glenn and Meredith (Phil) Tomesek; step-daughters, Samantha and Stephanie Wandtke; and beloved grandchildren, Philip and Brayden Tomesek, Arianna and Clio Glenn. She was preceded in death by her father, Ernest McAfee; and dog, Molly.

Kimberly was a loving spirit. She was fully aware of the difficulties of life, but she never succumbed to them. She maintained a positive attitude and did her best to make the world a better place. She believed in the power of prayer, but wasn’t one to stand around and wait for things to get better. She had a kind heart and was constantly helping others.

Kimberly worked for the Zepf Community Center for more than 12 years, volunteered for local reading programs in the United States and Panama, began “Girl’s Night Out” in Grandview Beach, LaSalle and continued it in Playa Coronado, Panama. Christmas wasn’t Kimberly’s favorite holiday, but she always got into the spirit. One of her families fondest holiday memories is from 2002 when Kimberly adopted a family during the holiday season and gave them an amazing Christmas. Similarly, Kimberly’s last Christmas was spent in Panama where she organized a “girl’s night out” Christmas celebration that saw more than 70 local ladies show up and donate to a local woman’s shelter.

She was the constant party planner and enjoyed organizing charity events for orphanages in Panama. She was involved in the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Toledo. Kimberly spent the last few months of her life volunteering at poor schools in Panama, teaching English and computers.

The past few days have been filled with stories of Kimberly’s kind spirit. One of the most meaningful was just brought to her children’s attention this past week in Panama. We were able to meet a young woman who was reunited with her father due to my mother’s kindness and support..

She loved wine, jazz, Santana, travel, a good party, and most of all, her grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3-7 pm, Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman) Temperance, MI, where a memorial service will follow at 7:00 pm. Iin lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you “pay it forward” to a local charity of the donors choice.  www.pawlakfuneralhome.com