Kym Leigh Peterson

Kym Leigh (Herman) Peterson DNP, RN, CNL

Born September 1st, 1971, Kym fought tenaciously in a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer prior to her untimely passing on May 6th, 2024, throughout which she was surrounded by the unyielding love of her family and close friends. With unparalleled strength and dignity, Kym never faltered in her mission to live life on terms defined not by a diagnosis, but rather by her own truest and highest self. Fiercely charismatic until her last breaths, she tended the fire of spirit, compassion, and gratitude for life that burned bright within her for 52 remarkable years. 

Kym, native of Walpole, Massachusetts, graduated from Walpole High School before continuing on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire. As a registered nurse, she spent the bulk of her career on the Cardiac Step Down Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. During her time at MGH, she forged lifelong friendships, served as a mentor and source of support for staff, balancing night and weekend shifts all while raising three young children. Kym loved her profession as a healthcare provider and maintained a hugely successful professional career, achieving both her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Nurse Leadership and Nursing Practice, respectively. Of utmost importance to her was shepherding in a new generation of nurses. Taking on roles such as Nurse Specialist and Clinical Instructor at various institutions, Kym touched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and peers, providing guidance beyond what was required of her. Kym’s affinity for leadership and service to others knew no bounds, and at the time of her death she maintained an active role as a Patient Safety Coordinator and Risk Manager at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

A passionate and dedicated mother, loving wife, and loyal friend to all, Kym’s greatest sources of pride were her children: Emma of Providence College, Dylan of The University of Kansas, and Meghan of Bishop Feehan High School. Alongside her family she fostered an adventurous nature and love of travel, traits which ultimately brought her together with her husband of 25 years, Kelly, serving together as Peace Corps Volunteers in Jamaica. Of the places that brought her joy, Bromley Mountain in Vermont, Popponesset Beach in Cape Cod, and Treasure Beach in Jamaica were some of the many places that were special to Kym, though she possessed the ability to find and appreciate nature’s beauty in just about anyone, anywhere, anything, and any time. Skiing in fresh powder, sunbathing at the beach, hiking with her dogs, and dancing to live music were just some of the many activities which brought Kym peace.

Preceded in death by her loving mother Judee (McNamara) Herman, Kym is survived by her father Dr. Lawrence Herman of Westwood, Judee's longtime companion Bill Torpey of East Sandwich, along with brothers Erik Herman of Medfield, Dr. Kurt Herman of Norfolk, and sister Carly Herman of Westwood. Kym also leaves behind nephews Julian, McGill, Degan, niece Alexandra, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and many, many good friends.

Kym’s wit, contagious laugh, and her enduring compassion will be so dearly missed. Her legacy, though immeasurable, will continue to survive and thrive in her physical absence through all of the lives she touched over the years. 

Kym was an avid lover of music and lifelong Deadhead. She would like for us to find comfort in the lyrics from one of her favorite songs from the late Jerry Garcia:

“Going home, going home, By the waterside I will rest my bones, Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul

Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell, Listen to the river sing songs, to rock my soul.” 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a memorial visitation on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, from 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm at Saint Jude's Catholic Church, 86 Main Street, Norfolk. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 pm. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Kym's name made to support Dr. Brastianos’ research in Leptomeningeal Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital c/o MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114 with “In Memory of Kym Peterson” in the memo or by visiting https://brastianoslab.mgh.harvard.edu/donate/

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.