Kimberly Marie McInerney

Kimberly Marie McInerney, 41, of South Bend, Indiana passed away at 12:23 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2023, at St. Joseph Medical Center after her courageous journey with cancer. Kim showed the world her strong will, fighting spirit, and dignity throughout. She was a steadfast sign of strength to us all.

Kimberly was born on April 9, 1982 in Downers Grove, Illinois. She was currently a teaching professor and coordinator of the public speaker course in the Communications Department at Indiana University South Bend (IUSB). She is survived by her mother, Mary Lou Hobe of Joliet, Illinois; her father, Kevin D. (Denise) McInerney of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two sisters, Lauren (Paul) Taylor of Plainfield, Illinois and Maureen McInerney of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two step-sisters, DeNae L. (Rodger) McKim of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Sarah E. Norris of Pasadena, Texas;  two brothers, Aaron (Janelle McCollum) McInerney of Melrose Park, Illinois, and Kevin J. (Christine) McInerney of Live Oak, California;  her Godchild and niece, Leah Summerfield; her nephew RJ McKim; and by many aunts, uncles, cousins

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. Monday, May 8, 2023 in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. Inurnment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m.

Kimberly graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Master of Nonprofit Administration degree in 2010. She liked to travel the world from Alaska to Italy and party with her friends.  She had so many friends. Kimberly enjoyed hosting girls’ dinners, making friends with everyone she met, traveling the globe, being Irish Catholic, caring for several high maintenance pets, and making the world a better place. Kimberly loved her friends’ kids as her own and took great joy in watching them grow. She was passionate about teaching her students to see new perspectives and step outside of their comfort zones, particularly with persuasive speeches in public speaking. She was a respected colleague who loved her work family. She was also active in the local community, spending many volunteer hours organizing South Bend’s Urban Adventure Games. Kim's example of compassion, her fun-loving and adventure seeking spirit, and her empathy towards everyone she met are a legacy to us all.

Kim loved being the eldest (and wisest) of 5 siblings, and she adored her brothers and sisters. She was a proud aunt to the love of her life, Leah.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Leah Summerfield Trust Fund, RiverBend Cancer Services, or Urban Adventure Games in South Bend, Indiana.

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