Kimberly Danyel Harwell

Kimberly Danyel (Vaughn Harwell), 47, passed away suddenly on March 26, 2018, from a heart attack due to complications from a blood clot.

Kim was born January 14, 1971, in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. She spent her early years in Chicago, IL, then Owensboro, KY. In 1981, Kim and her mother, Brenda, moved to Denver, CO. She graduated from Colorado Academy in Denver, then went on to receive an academic scholarship at Washington University in Saint Louis. She was on the national youth leadership team representing Park Hill United Methodist Church. In college, Kim became a well-respected campus and community leader, earning several awards including: Women's Leadership Training Institute (WLTI) Award, the Ralph Bunche Award, Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence, Rabbi Ferdinand Isserman Prize for Interfaith contributions, Ralph Bunche Prize for Political Science Essay, and Toussaint L'Ouverture Award for Community Service. She graduated with a pre-med Bachelor's degree in English Literature and minors in Music and African/African American Studies, in 1993. Following graduation, she became Extension director of the YMCA in Milwaukee, WI, and Colorado Springs, CO. Kim's work with the two YMCAs focused on youth empowerment and development, earning her the 1997 YMCA Multicultural Achievers Award for her outstanding contributions to the disenfranchised youth in Colorado Springs. In 1994, she married her high school sweetheart, Jeffrey Harwell. In 2002, their daughter, Victoria, was born. In 2003, Kim earned her master's degree in business from University of Colorado at Denver. In 2011, their family joyfully expanded to include Natalia and Dominic. Over the years, Kim lent her skills in the business world, working in managerial roles at BlackBoard, Pearson, Inc., E-College, Westwood College, US West and the YMCA.

Kim always remained an active community leader, volunteering her time with the children's schools and found her church home at Hope United Methodist Church. She was passionate about social justice issues, most recently focusing on human trafficking awareness and survivors assistance. Always kind, optimistic, warm, loving and dedicated, Kim was well-loved and well-respected. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her distinctive laugh, and her generous spirit. She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Harwell; daughters, Victoria and Natalia, and son Dominic. She is also survived by her mother, Brenda Vaughn, and grandfather, Robert Rates. She leaves behind aunt, Diane Murrell, cousins Kenneth and Kevin Bruce, and Tracy Nathan of Louisville, Kentucky; Brandi and Robert Rates of Colorado; and, numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews in addition to many others who were family by choice.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 am, Friday, April 6, 2018, at Hope United Methodist Church ( http://bfy.tw/HO14 )

A luncheon/repast will follow from 11:00 -12:30 at Hope United Methodist Church

Internment service is at 1:30, Fort Logan National Cemetery Staging Area B
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp
Please allow about 15-20 minutes at Fort Logan

Flowers may be sent to Hope United Methodist Church
5101 S. Dayton St., Greenwood Village, CO, 80111, https://www.hopechangeslives.org/

Or Donations may be made to one of Kim's passions in her memory to
"Hope's Lenten Mission Project "Human Trafficking Awareness and Survivor Assistance". https://www.hopechangeslives.org/ministries/mission-and-outreach/