Kim Donna Tyson (22 Jun 1966 - 31 Jul 2019)

In loving memory of Kim Donna Tyson who sadly passed away on 31st July 2019.
Kim is the middle child of Lucy and Peter Tyson
All of us who knew Kim, knows she liked to have a good time; holidaying in the sun, dancing, music, socialising.

Kim or Donna (as she was known to close family) was a fun loving person, who lived life to the full and always encouraged others to do the same. As a student, Kim could be described as a swot... she loved books from an early age and was an avid reader....however Kim's taste in reading later swayed towards true crime, especially those which took place in her beloved London Town, such as the mystery of Jack The Ripper. Kim's other early interest besides books was music, especially, His Royal Purpleness, Prince and all things Minnieapolis. The other mainstay of Kim's early music collection was Slave and Steve Arrington... Her early foray into all things funky, took a major U-turn, when the lads from Take That hit the scene.... especially Robbie Williams (She luurved Robbie).

As previously mentioned Kim is the middle sibling of three sisters Debbie being the eldest and Julie the youngest.
As Debbie and Kim were closer in years, they would often be out clubbing as was the norm for teenagers, back in the 80's and got the tag the Two Sisters, which was the name of a female electro rap group of the time. Kim loved to go out and clubs such as Electric Ballroom and Cats Whiskers, set the foundations for Kim's love of a good 'shuffle', as she put it.

But it wasn't all partying, (much to her annoyance).... Kim was an academic at heart and after passing her A Levels, Kim studied for a BA Degree in English Language and Literacy at Middlesex University. After graduating, Kim started a career as an Advertising Sales Executive, for Autocar & Motor, based in Teddington where she sold classified ad space for the publication.
Never a shrinking violet, Kim took to her new role like a duck to water, despite being a woman of colour in a difficult male dominated industry, where cold calling and personal clients sales was the order of the day. In this role Kim excelled and gave as good as she got, when it came to banter and definitely helped to dispel the stereotypes that she sometimes came face to face with. Kim worked hard at her job and took great pleasure in frequently hitting her targets, and her hard work was recognized as she was promoted to Advertising Sales Manager.

After having her daughter Jordan, Kim decided on a career change where she could not only put to use her love of English, but would also allow her time to spend with 'Jordy'... Kim studied for a PGCE teacher training course, which naturally she passed and then took up a role as a primary school teacher at Applegarth infants school in New Addington. Kim soon moved to Monks Orchard School where she spent most of her teaching career and she moved up the ladder specializing surprisingly in literacy.
Kim earned an AST (Advanced Skills Teacher) accreditation, which meant she was able to spread her love of literacy across the borough of Croydon and beyond, helping schools to improve their teaching of the subject. Kim also ensured that all who came in contact with her knew how to speak and write correctly and woe betide anyone who used language such as 'we was', as opposed to 'we were', in Kim's presence.
Kim's last teaching job was at a private school in Streatham, where she brought a sense of fun into the classroom and she is remembered fondly by staff, parents and students alike...

Having been designated an outstanding Leading Practitioner and Local Authority moderator, Kim set up in business as an Independent Educational Literacy Consultant, where she was able to bring her skills to schools across the country, helping them to achieve targeted improvements in her specialist subject.

Aside from teaching, Kim also worked in public relations for SRO Audiences, a company started by a fellow teacher Martin Arthur, who she met and became great friends with when they worked together at Applegarth. In this role Kim would use her outgoing personality to great effect as she rubbed shoulders with special guests, on live audience shows such as The Graham Norton Show, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and Tonight with Jonathan Ross

In her personal life, Kim had an uncanny ability to be the centrepiece of all the lives she touched, especially her sister Debbie, nephews, Barry, Jarred and her niece, Jade and Donald (her shuffling partner) with whom she made unique and lasting friendships, complete with their individual nicknames and in-jokes.

Kim's greatest love is undoubtedly, her daughter Jordan, for whom she had various nicknames, such as Jordy and The Darlz. In later years they became inseparable and could often be seen out bonding over a drink or two in a Clapham bar.

Kim loved a drama and her life from finding out she had a heart defect to having open heart surgery and meningitis has been just that until her unfortunate and untimely death.

Kim is survived by her parents, her sisters Debbie and Julie, nephews Barry, Jarred & Joel, her nieces Jade & Sienna and her beloved daughter Jordan.

Instead of flowers we will be collecting donations to Highfield House, the rehabilitation home where Kim spent her last 9 months.