Kim Meche (right) spreading joy. (Janet Stump photo)
Kim Meche was a former Coupeville High School volleyball coach, but much, much more.
Beloved by her players, students, fellow coaches and everyone that met her, Meche, who passed away two weeks ago after a long, courageous fight with cancer, was remembered during a service in Oak Harbor Saturday.
Meche’s successor with the Wolves, Toni Crebbin, spoke about her mentor and close friend. These are her words, and we thank her for sharing them with those of us who couldn’t be in attendance at the memorial.
I first met Kim when I was a regular substitute PE teacher at Coupeville High School in the Spring of 1993.
When she learned of my coaching and athletic background, she asked me to be her assistant that coming fall, when she would be taking over the job as the head volleyball coach.
Kim was in her element as head coach. Her zest for the sport, along with her integrity, dedication, ability to relate to her athletes, and just plain positive attitude made the CHS program what it is today.
I never remember her ever losing her cool, although the one time in the 10 years we coached together that she got a yellow card, I do recall she blamed me, as it was during the two weeks I was out having a baby! I don’t think she ever let me live that one down!
As a coach, Kim was an outstanding mentor for me, and she established a solid, winning program, leading the team to state two years in a row. Kim made it easy for me to step into the head coaching position when she left to be an administrator in Stevenson.
But most importantly, Kim was exceptional at building relationships with her athletes, as evidenced by the many past athletes in attendance today.
How many of you remember “Iron Woman?” I think “Meech,” as she was affectionately called by her athletes, enjoyed watching the girls push themselves further than they ever thought they could through the physically challenging course she created.
It became a rite of passage that I am sure they will always remember. Kim was doing what she enjoyed, and that is something we can all take away from her.
Kim was not only an exceptional and well respected coach; she was stellar in the classroom. Kim didn’t fit the stereotype of the lazy PE teacher who would just roll the ball out and kick back.
Just the opposite; she was on the leading edge and always in the forefront of education, wanting to better herself, not just her students.
Kim was again my mentor, having found myself her peer in teaching PE for the first time in my career. Kim took me under her wing and taught me the tricks of her trade. All the while, never appearing to be annoyed by my constant questions.
Kim was well respected by students, parents, and coworkers alike. We were all disappointed when she announced she was “going to the dark side” to be an administrator, not for her, but for ourselves. We knew that meant we were losing a fine teacher, and that she would be someone else’s jewel as an administrator. How right we were!
It was in Kim that I found a kindred spirit in our shared passion for sports and competition. Over the next 10 years not only did we enjoy coaching together, but so many activities.
We played on the same coed softball and volleyball teams. We cheered our beloved Mariner’s on together at multiple games at Safeco Field. We hiked and biked in Whistler. We played tennis in the summer, and even golfed together.
Shoot, we even shared a love of the Eddie Bauer store! Kim topped me in that one though, when she bought the Eddie Bauer version of the Ford Explorer.
As a friend, Kim was one you could always count on.
One way her thoughtfulness came out was in her attention to detail. She would choose just the right gift; noticing I love pasta, so buying a pasta set for the family.
Knowing I was a Blazer fan, so buying tickets for a Sonics/Blazer game. And despite her competitive nature, she never even rubbed it in when her Sonics won!
Offering to watch my kids so my husband and I could have a rare date. Kim was “Aunt Kim” to my boys. She and her whole family warmly took our family in for holidays, knowing we had no family in state. Bill and Richie, thank you for being the example for Kim, instilling in her a selfless desire to always think of others first.
One especially emotional memory that I have of Kim is when I had my own personal cancer scare. Although I never outwardly expressed my anxiety, Kim’s thoughtfulness was apparent when she insisted on accompanying me to my doctor appointment in Seattle.
Words weren’t necessary. Just that simple gesture meant a lot to me, and I will never forget it.
Through all our experiences, I find it appropriate that the last time we met face to face, it was once again at a sporting event.
Just a little over a year ago, we both found ourselves at the Tacoma Dome. I was cheering on my son at the state wrestling tournament, while Kim was there as principal, rooting on several of her high school’s athletes.
Despite her lack of hair, Kim was Kim, greeting me with a hug and a huge smile on her face.
What really impressed me though was the fact that just that morning, Kim had a round of chemo, yet there she was!
How many of you could do that? I would like to say that I would, but I can’t say for sure. Kim set the bar high for all of us.
One of Kim’s first comments when she saw me was, “How do you like my Chemo glow?” Evidently one of the side effects of chemotherapy is a bright pink color to the cheeks.
However, I think even without the chemo, I will always remember Kim’s face as radiant with the joy of life!
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