Obituary for Kimberly Rosati Woodhouse Print Kimberly R. Woodhouse, 62, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, surrounded by family in Grosse Pointe Farms, after a decades-long battle with cancer. Despite her illnesses, which she faced with tenacious optimism and resilience, Kim remained positive and enjoyed life.
She was a faithful daughter, sister, wife and a friend to many. Born June 8, 1956, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Kim graduated from Our Lady Star of the Sea High School. She earned a degree in fashion merchandising from Marymount College of Virginia and started her career as fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue in Detroit.
Kim married John T. “Tim” Woodhouse IV in 1979, and they later moved to Marblehead, Mass. , where Tim worked for Hood Sailmakers and Kim worked at Lord & Taylor in downtown Boston. In 1989, Tim became president and owner of Hood Sailmakers and moved the company to Newport, R.I., where they lived the next 28 years.
Their home often was filled with family and friends, many of them sailors — but not required — and a succession of their favorite Vizsla dogs: Chenyi, Chappy, Hamo and Rika. Kim worked for Saks Fifth Avenue in Boston, as director of the 5th Avenue Club. In 1999 she traded in the commute to Boston for work closer to home.
From 2000 through 2015, Kim worked with Farr International/Stagg Yachts on the annual Farr 40 World Championship, liaising with teams, sponsors and event hosts. Her attention to detail and gift for working with people made her a natural fit. Alongside this, and until this past month, Kim managed logistics for a number of professional sailing teams and super yacht owners in the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean.
With her love of sailing and time spent on or near the water, Kim was an enthusiastic supporter and volunteer at Sail Newport. She served two terms on the board of directors at this community-based sailing organization. Kim was a member of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and New York Yacht Club.
Predeceased by her husband John “Tim” Woodhouse IV; father, Donald Anthony Rosati and stepfather, Dominic Palazzolo, Kim is survived by her mother, Carol Rosati Palazzolo; sisters, Renee Dasaro (Chris) and Sharon Peters (Michael); brother, Stephen Rosati (Dana) and many nieces and nephews who loved to visit, and be visited by, their gregarious and fun-loving “Auntie Kimmie”. Kim leaves many friends of all ages, throughout the sailing world — her style, sense of humor and steadfast friendships will be genuinely missed. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Saturday, Feb.
2, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 21620 Mack, St. Clair Shores. Visitation begins at 11:30 a.m. at the church. A Celebration of Life will take place in Newport in June.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sail Newport, 72 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840.
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