On May 19, 2023, Kim Papadopoulos (Hewco) of Edmonton passed away at the age of 67 years.

Kim is survived by her children, Mark Papadopoulos (Sandra Boudreau) and Anna (Jason) Pilisko; grandchildren, Jeremy Pilisko, Maggie Pilisko, and Serana Boudreau; brother, Kevin, (Marcella) Hewco; chosen brother, Jim Ingram; beloved feline, Lenny; and numerous cousins. Predeceased by her parents, Sheila and Norman Hewco; grandmother, Katherine Kassian; aunt and uncle, Maureen and John Decore; and half sister, Maureen Hewco.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Meadowlark Place Lodge, as well as the Southwest Homecare team for their care shown towards Kim.

Kim was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on March 19th, 1956, the eldest child of Sheila and Norman Hewco. After spending her youth in Edmonton, Busby, and St. Albert, she moved to Jasper, Alberta in her late teens to work for her grandmother Kay (Katherine) at the Diamond Motel. She married, and moved around the next few years, but settled back in Jasper in 1983 with her own family, before returning to Edmonton in 1997. Kim worked in the hospitality industry in Jasper, Michaels (arts and crafts store), and Shaw Cable in Edmonton.

Kim cherished her role as mother. She would stay up until the wee hours of morning creating masterpiece birthday cakes for her children. No small feat, considering their birthdays are one right after the other! She volunteered as a Girl Guide Leader, and chauffeur on hockey road trips (she did not even complain about the pre-teen boys belting out Bon Jovi hits!) Additionally, not many mothers would drive across a province to take their teenage children to a Guns N’ Roses concert! Most memorable was Kim staying up all night chaperoning the grad party at the airfield, to ensure everyone would be safe; and doing so with a huge smile on her face.

She was an avid baker, crafter and artist, excelling in calligraphy, ceramics, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, and sewing. She shared her love of music, movies and reading with her children, and opened her home to all of their friends in high school. Kim was an Edmonton Oilers fan and was delighted by a 50th birthday phone call from her favorite, Georges Laraque. She was known for her kindness and often brought home-baked treats to her co-workers. She eagerly welcomed the title of “Granny” and her favorite topic became her three grandchildren; everyone she encountered would hear all about them. Kim was a fixture at their birthday parties and found great joy watching them play. Despite the deterioration of her hand coordination, she still managed to crochet blankets for each of them.

To celebrate Kim, her family encourages you to wear purple, visit the animals at your local animal shelter, have a coffee with a friend, listen to Lenny Kravitz or Rod Stewart, indulge your crafty side, bake your favourite treat and play with the children in your life.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made to the Edmonton Humane Society, 13620 – 163 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2.

Edmonton Humane Society