Kimberly Kristine Britton

Kimberly Kristine Britton Urbana, IL - Kimberly Kristine “Kim” Britton, 43, of Urbana, Illinois, loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, and aunt, died tragically on Monday, July 21, 2014, in an automobile accident. Her beloved daughter, Piper Gwynne Britton, 11, also died by her side. Kim was born in Inglewood, California on March 18, 1971, the daughter of Robert “Bob” Britton and Arlene K. (Vollenweider) Britton. A world-traveller from a young age, she attended a Belgian elementary school from kindergarten through 2nd grade in Sterrebeek, Belgium, learning all her lessons in Flemish and becoming a fluent speaker. Kim spent her formative years in Sunapee, New Hampshire, and Brussels, Belgium, attending Sunapee schools through the 7th grade. She spent the 8th Grade in Cheyenne, Wyoming with her sister Wendy, where she won a major role in “PIPIN” at a local community Theatre. She attended the International School of Brussels for her 9th grade, and was a basketball cheerleader there. She then transferred to Brussels American High School, where she was active in school activities, was Head Cheerleader, and a member of the National Honor Society. She loved traveling, especially in Europe, and grew up with a great appreciation for the diversity of the world and the contributions she could make to it. She graduated from Brussels American High School in Brussels, Belgium, in 1989, receiving a monetary scholarship from the US Embassy, presented to her in person by then First Lady Barbara Bush. Kim earned her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, with honors, from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1993, and while matriculating there, worked at the Living History Museum, Longstreet Farm, in Holmdale, NJ, acting as a docent in costume and giving tours and teaching children about customs and cooking, and about farm animals and life in the era of agrarian America. Kim was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, and earned her membership to the Golden Key Club at Rutgers. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Museum Science from Texas Tech University in 1995. In 1996, Kim began her professional career as a Museum Editor at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, IL, where she served as managing editor of The Living Museum magazine and met her future husband, Timothy Osburn. Kim and Tim loved participating in Community Theatre in Springfield, and acted in several plays, playing major roles in “Caberet”, singing and dancing. They married at the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in Cornish, NH, in May of 1999. Kim and Tim spent the summer of 2000 working in marketing and public relations at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, in Warner, New Hampshire, before relocating back to Urbana, Illinois, where Kim worked as an Internet Content Editor for RoundTable Media, Inc. for several years. In 2002, Kim began working for the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign as an information architect in the Office of Business and Financial Services, and rapidly progressed to her most recent position as the Assistant Director of Software Engineers in the Business Information Services group. In 2003, Kim and Tim were blessed with the arrival of their daughter, Piper Gwynne, who was the joy of their life. Kim was a brilliant light in this world, kind, loving, first to laugh, and last to anger. With her broad smile and sunny disposition, Kim brought intensity, intelligence, and focus to everything she put her mind to. Beloved by her family and peers, Kim made a tremendous difference in the lives of every person she met. She will be missed beyond measure. Surviving family members include her husband of 15 years, Timothy Osburn; a step-daughter, Paige Osburn; a step-son and two step-grandchildren, Joel Osburn (Wife Tricia Berg, children Morgan and Sabrina); parents Robert and Arlene Britton; siblings Jim Britton (Jane), Wendy Britton, and Randy Britton (Wife Melissa, Children Olivia and Benjamin); nieces Nicole Pelletier (Husband Bobby, children Jared and Sydney), and Alie Fazio; and nephew Kirt Perry. Funeral services will be private. A public celebration of Kim and Piper’s lives will be held on Sunday, July 27th, 3:30 - 5:30 PM, at Meadowbrook Park Garden Pavillion, 2808 South Race Street, Urbana, IL. Casual attire is welcomed. The family asks that donations be made to the Urbana, Illinois School District #116, designated to the special needs program at Yankee Ridge - in memory of Piper Britton, in lieu of flowers. Please write checks to Urbana School District #116 Piper Britton fund. R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd. & Crematory 401 E. Main St., Braidwood, IL 60408 815-458-2336 www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com

Kimberly Kristine Britton

March 18, 1971 - July 21, 2014

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Kimberly Kristine Britton

March 18, 1971 - July 21, 2014

What We Do

Local Florists

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About Us

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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