Kimberley Joy Dunham Baskins

Kimberley Joy Dunham Baskins, age 59, passed away on September 12, 2024 at Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on October 25, 1964, she was beloved wife of Howard J. Baskins and the daughter of Carole (Graham) Dunham of Foxborough and the late Carroll J. Dunham of Sharon.  She was raised in Foxborough, MA alongside her younger brother, Roy. Kim graduated from Foxborough High School in 1982, after which she took a job at Tom’s Chevrolet where she worked for many years and developed her love for cars.

In Kimberley’s early years she struggled with many demons that took away her shine and spirit, fortunately she was strong enough to overcome them and build a life she was so very proud of. After moving to Pawtucket in the early 1990s, she gave birth to her two daughters, Brittaney and Jacquelyn, who were her pride and joy.

Kimberley began to really flourish when she started taking some classes at Sawyer College where she took a keen interest in liberal arts. She then went on to get her bartending license in Rhode Island, which then became her life’s work. In late 1999, she met Howard Baskins who she would marry and spend 27 years of her life.

In later years, Kimberley worked at Sam’s Card Club in Central Falls, RI for years. Her eldest daughter Brittaney joined her bartending there during the four years she was attending college earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The two of them shared so many happy memories together while bartending and developing a close bond. She shared her life work with Brittaney from cooking meals, managing parties, inventing new drink recipes and even hosting Superbowl Sunday events. She wore many hats as a cook, cleaner, and manager that carried over to her work at Duffin’s Pub in Pawtucket where she became a most valued member of their staff.

Kimberley enjoyed spending time with her late best friend, Patty Merrill, with whom she could be found at her favorite place, the beach getting a good tan, shopping, or laughing the night away at a bar. Kimberley was all about the classics. She loved watching MASH, The Waltons, and Golden Girls, and loved listening to 90’s country like her beloved Shania Twain. She also loved shoes and clothes; she was constantly trying to give them away to her daughters.

Her daughters, Brittaney and Jacquelyn were her whole world. She always made sure to try and be a part of any big event or accomplishment her daughters pursued in life. After her eldest daughter Brittaney graduated from college, she began working in Norwood, MA in eye care. Kimberley would travel all the way from Rhode Island just to go to her daughter’s doctor’s office for treatment. She would rave about how smart her daughter Brittaney was to learn all that she had. Her youngest daughter Jacquelyn has made her life work in the equestrian world and Kim knew how important it was to her. Kim would take time to visit Jacquelyn at whatever barn she was working at the time, whether it be helping to muck stalls, brushing the horses, or even attending shows her daughter was performing in. 

In June 2021, her youngest daughter Jacquelyn gave birth to Kimberley’s first grandchild, Faith Aisling, later in December, 2021 her second grandchild, Colson Michael would arrive, born to her eldest daughter Brittaney. And once again in February of 2023, her youngest daughter Jacquelyn gave birth to her third grandchild, a son, Housten James. Being a grandmother became one of the biggest joys of Kimberley’s life. She was constantly trying to find ways to give to her daughters and their children.

Her eldest daughter Brittaney and her family live locally and Kimberley would try to visit with them as often as possible. Her youngest daughter Jacquelyn and her family live in Las Vegas and Kim was constantly trying to plan visits to go see them. She spent time there after her first grandchild Faith was born and enjoyed seeing the Las Vegas sites including the Las Vegas strip, the top of the High Roller Ferris Wheel, the Siegfried and Roy lion and dolphin exhibit, and of course taking Faith for rides on Faith’s horse. Kim was planning another visit to Las Vegas to meet Housten this coming December. She had weekly facetime visits with Faith and Housten, teaching them how to say “Grandma” or “Gammy”, spending hours playing peek a boo with a blanket covering the phone before their bedtime.

Kimberley was a very talented homemaker and cook. She was well known for her famous mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and chicken noodle soup. She always wanted to jump in and help in the kitchen no matter where she was. Kim was always the helper after the meal who cleared the plates and helped wash and dry the dishes. She even dropped off an entire turkey dinner to her daughter Brittaney and family one year so they did not have to miss Thanksgiving when the family was sick. Whatever bar she was working at during the holidays would receive a fully cooked meal. She would always say, “Some people do not have families to cook for them, I can do that and this is where they can come”. 

Holidays were one of Kim’s favorite things. Unfortunately, this past Easter she had to work but she took her morning to go surprise her grandson Colson by lining his back yard with pinwheels, and hiding eggs that led to a big basket of presents. Kimberley loved Christmas because she was able to spoil her children and grandchildren with personalized gifts that assured her loved ones that she was always thinking of them. Whatever she had, she wanted to give to those she loved.

Kimberley was one of the kindest, generous and loving people around, always willing to raise her hand to help with whatever was needed. She was not someone who had a lot, and yet she still found love in her heart to give. Her presence, spirit, laughter and strength in her friends and families’ lives will be sorely missed every day.

Beloved wife of Howard J. Baskins.

Loving mother of Brittaney N. Semler and her husband Michael of Whitinsville, MA; and Jacquelyn Dunham of Las Vegas, Nevada; and stepmother of Joseph M. Baskins and his wife Iliana, of Georgia, Lisa M. Nassour and her husband Gary, of Central Falls, Rhode Island, and Mary M. Shea of Buffalo, New York. 

Cherished grandmother of Colson M. Semler, Faith and Housten Flanagan; and step grandmother of Gary Vallenta, Justin Tabares, Jonathan and Jared Ferriera, Marvin and Jerrel Baskins; and step great grandmother of Lincoln Tabares, Lilianna Ferriera, and Iuani Baskins.

Devoted daughter of Carole Janet (Graham) Dunham of Foxborough and the late Carroll James Dunham and his surviving wife, Barbara, of Sharon.

Sister of Roy Dunham and his wife, Deborah, of Plainville, stepsister of Kathy Theresa Cicchetti of Providence, RI and Derek C. Cicchetti and his wife Karen of Plymouth. 

Aunt of Kelly and Stephen Dunham, Alexander, Alyssa, Emma, Erin, and Elli Cicchetti.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Kimberley's Life Celebration on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. 

Interment will take place for close family and friends on September 26, 2024, at 10:15 AM at the Rhode Island Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, South County Trail, Exeter, RI..

A celebration of her life and love will follow at Angelos Palace Pizza in Cumberland, RI from 11:30am to 2:30pm, 133 Mendon Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Kimberley's name may be made to Save the Bay – Narragansett Bay by visiting https://savebay.org/get-involved/donate/