Pink Night honors mother who died of breast cancer

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

The Juan Diego Soaring Eagle volleyball team wears pink jerseys for the regional playoff game in honor of Kim Darby and breast cancer awareness. IC photo/Christine Young

DRAPER — The Juan Diego Catholic High School volleyball team and team moms wore pink during the regional volleyball playoff game to honor Kim Darby, who passed away in September after a seven-year battle with breast cancer.

Proceeds from ticket sales, concessions, pink shoelace sales and donations will be given to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Darby’s honor.

Darby, who moved to Utah in 1993 with her husband, Jeff, worked at the Skaggs Catholic Center as the Safe Environment coordinator.

The Oct. 18 tribute during the game was very special to Caitlin Darby, Kim and Jeff Darby’s only child. Caitlin Darby played on the Juan Diego volleyball team during 2008-2009.

"It’s fun to see my friends out supporting a good cause that is so close to my heart," she said.

Ruth Fitzpatrick shared an office with Darby. "She’s been battling cancer for seven years and she always came to work with a positive outlook and she didn’t let it get her down," Fitzpatrick said. "She kept the burden of cancer to herself; she didn’t want to pass it on to her friends. She was very special and we miss her terribly."

Jo Cendagorta worked with Darby from 2007 and is taking over her position. "I knew Kim had breast cancer, but you never knew what her status was because she was always upbeat," said Cendagorta, adding that Darby kept amazing reports for Safe Environment. "I would text her saying her reports gave me chills, they were so beautiful. She had to organize over 300 people on campus, plus another 200 coaches and volunteers off campus in the Parish Athletic Recreation Association."

When it came to getting a good deal, Darby was the best, said Cendagorta. "Dave Simpson, our boss, would always say ‘Get me three bids and we’ll compare.’ She would get quotes down to every detail. For example, on window washing, she would know if the chemicals were environmentally safe, how much they would use, how long they would take, what the manpower was and if they were insured. She did her job and would save us money."

Dave Simpson worked with Darby for eight years. "Kim was a joy to work with and worked to within 10 days of her death," he said. "She was a glimmer of sunshine. She had such a spirit and such a love of her job, her family and of her life. Kim had a tremendous presence and was extremely organized. I never had to doubt what she was doing. She would tell me ‘Dave, don’t sweat the bullets, I’ve got it taken care of,’ and I trusted her to do her job. She was a real pleasure and a real valuable member of our family and our team.

"Kim took a very active interest in the cause of breast cancer and was up and down with chemotherapy, losing her hair, wearing bandanas, being fatigued, and not being able to come to work," said Simpson, who shared a note written by Darby’s husband that said working helped Darby maintain her purpose and her strong attitude toward life.

"Kim needed the association that we offered and she needed to feel the value of her work," said Simpson.

Dr. Galey Colosimo, principal of Juan Diego, met Darby 11 years ago when she became one of the first volunteers at the Skaggs Catholic Center.

"Kim’s effective work skills, positive attitude and great sense of humor made her a joy to have around," he said. "We all watched her battle cancer with tremendous heart and courage. Her one driving goal was to keep living for her family. Her only defeat came at the very end when she vowed that she would live long enough to see Caitlin graduate from Juan Diego. Sadly, she will not physically be present, but Kim will live on in Caitlin and the family that she cared for and for that, we give great thanks and honor to our beloved Kim Darby."