In the early hours of the morning Monday, August 21, 2023, Kim Ann Stephenson, passed away after an over two-year-long battle against cancer. Kim received her wish and passed in her own home in Sharpsville with her loving husband of 41 years, John, by her side.

Kim was born on October 11th, 1960, in Sharon, to Albert and Sandra (Sikora) Ruffo of West Middlesex. She graduated from Kennedy Christian class of 1978. She then became a registered nurse after graduating from Saint Elizabeth's School of Nursing, in Youngstown Ohio.

Kim found her passion in the nursing field. She began her career at Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in labor and delivery. Following her time at the hospital, she then spent 40 years working for Dr. Perfett, Dr. Gallagher, and Dr. Skakalski as an OBGYN nurse in private practice. As a part of this job, she used her experience in the medical field and experience as a mother herself to help prepare expectant mothers.

In her role as a nurse, Kim's work did not stop when she left the office either. Her office was in a primarily low-income area. With this, it is no surprise that many of her patients did not have the best home lives or the required support network they needed. Fortunately for them, they had Kim. On many occasions, sometimes in the middle of the night, her patients would call her personal phone in a state of panic as they had just broken water and had no transportation to the hospital. Kim would drop what she was doing and selflessly drive the patient to the hospital.

Outside of her professional career, anyone who knew Kim, knows that she never took a break and was always dedicated to serving others. For many years she and her friend Marci were known as the 'Apple Ladies' selling The Forbidden Apple. She and her next-door neighbor, Kim would organize the yearly neighborhood easter egg hunt that brought smiles to a hundred children every spring. She also supported the activities that her children were involved in. Kim spent much of her time volunteering for parent-teacher organizations, serving as President of the Sharpsville Grid Iron, becoming a school library aid, assisting her boy's cub scout packs, and making sure to attend every concert, sporting event, or ceremony one of her boys had. In addition, she displayed her devotion to God serving as a Eucharistic Minister at the Church of Notre Dame, in Hermitage, volunteering at the Willow Women's Center, and filling other small roles the church needed.

Around her busy life, Kim was devoted to her family. She was an endearing daughter, a thoughtful sister, an unwavering and dedicated wife, a loving mother, and a caring grandmother. She never failed to be there for her family. After becoming sick, some of her favorite days were those when she could see all five of her boys at the same time. In her final days, she could rest peacefully knowing that she created a family that would stand by each other's sides through anything.

Kim is survived by her parents Albert and Sandra Ruffo, of West Middlesex PA; two brothers Curt (Cathy) Ruffo, of Reidsville NC, and Corey (Amanda) Ruffo, of Mercer PA, and her husband John at home.

Kim is also survived by her sons, John (Michelle), of Vienna OH, Adam (Nicole), of Pittsburgh PA, Joel (Ashley), Hermitage PA, Aaron, State College PA, and Joshua, at home; five grandchildren, John "JR" Andrew, Jr, Samuel, Alex, Caroline, and Julianna; and her beloved dog, Gretel.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the Church of Notre Dame, 2325 Highland Rd., Hermitage, PA 16148; Willow Women's Center, 295 N. Kerrwood Dr., Suite 106, Hermitage, PA 16148; or the Hillman Cancer Center, 3410 Wilmington Rd., New Castle, PA 16105.

Calling hours will be 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday (08/24/2023) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday (08/25/2023) in the Church of Notre Dame, with Rev. Richard Allen, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.