Kimberly Lynn “Kim” Meche

Kimberly Lynn “Kim” Meche, 46, of Vancouver, Wash., longtime former Oak Harbor resident and educator, passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2013, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Kim was born on February 10, 1967, in Lemoore, Calif., to Bill and Richie (Vander Voet) Meche. The family returned to their hometown of Oak Harbor in 1968. Kim attended Olympic View Elementary School, North Whidbey Junior High School and Oak Harbor High School, graduating in 1985. Kim was a star athlete from the age of 8 through high school, playing softball, basketball and volleyball and landing a permanent spot on OHHS’s “Wall of Fame.” She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from George Fox College in Newburg, Ore., in 1989. She also played all three sports at the college level, leading the volleyball team to the NAIA National Championship as the starting freshman setter.

Kim’s first year in teaching was spent substituting in Oak Harbor. She worked as the youth director at the First Reformed Church the following year. During those two years, she also coached the OHHS varsity volleyball team, leading them to the state tournament. Her education career then took her to

Coupeville High School, where she taught PE and Health and coached varsity volleyball, leading them to multiple state tournaments in those 13 years. She received her Masters of Education Degree from Leslie College and her Administration Certification from Western Washington University. In 2003, Kim accepted a position in the Stevenson-Carson School District as Principal of Carson Elementary School in Carson, Wash. Kim became the Principal of Stevenson High School in Stevenson, Wash., in 2010, from which she resigned in February 2013. During Kim’s short tenure at Stevenson High School, her leadership earned the “School of Distinction” award as one of the state’s highest improving schools. It is no surprise that even as an administrator, Kim was involved as an assistant volleyball coach during her time in Stevenson. Kim had been a member of the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor. Her favorite ways to spend her time were to travel, play games with family (as long as she won!) and play golf. Most everybody says they will always remember her smile and her tenacity toward life. Cancer did not define Kim, rather, her high integrity and most of all, her natural leadership to both staff and students.

Kim is survived by Kathy Browning of Vancouver; by her parents, Bill and Richie Meche of Oak Harbor; two sisters, Terri Meche of Sedro Woolley; and Stephanie Cone and husband Ray of Oak Harbor; nephews Brian Fakkema and wife Amanda of Killeen, Texas and Trenton Cone of Oak Harbor; nieces Heather Carpenter and husband Andrew of Mount Vernon, and Melany and Abi Cone, both of Oak Harbor; also, grandmother, Lee Vander Voet of Oak Harbor, two great-nieces and nephew and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as many friends. She was preceded in death by grandparents Art and Henrietta Vander Voet and Fred and Nita Meche; and uncles Kim Meche and Gene Vander Voet.

Memorial Services will take place 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21 at Stevenson High School 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at the First Reformed Church, Pastor Dave Engle officiating.

A Private Family Committal Service will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to First Reformed Church Memorial Fund for Youth Missions, 250 SW 3rd St., Oak Harbor, WA 98277, or to the Stevenson-Carson Administrators Scholarship Fund, PO Box 850, Stevenson, WA 98648. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com