Carol Richardson Kimmelman
Services for Carol Richardson Kimmelman
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January 29, 2017
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Funeral
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9 a.m.
An open house will be held in Bernardsville, New Jersey at the Kimmelman home on January 29 from 9am-1pm. In addition a reception will be held in the Los Angeles area on February 25 at the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach from 6-9 pm.
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Funeral
:
9 a.m.
August 11, 1963 - January 6, 2017
Carol Richardson Kimmelman, known by her family and West Coast friends as Lulu, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on January 6th after a courageous seven year bout with ovarian cancer. Lulu was a native of Riverside, California, a graduate of the University of Southern California and a resident of Bernardsville, New Jersey and Rancho Santa Fe, California. Following her graduation from USC in 1984, Lulu worked as an elementary school teacher at The Raymond Avenue School in South Central Los Angeles. The love that Miss Richardson' had for her students and for teaching never diminished; not a day went by without her sharing stories from her special teaching moments. Her desire to improve the lives of others knew no bounds as she graciously mentored many friends, created numerous academic scholarships and volunteered her time generously to help anyone with a challenge or a need. Lulu was a gifted athlete and excelled in many sports, but tennis was her true passion. Her fierce competitive drive made her a force on the court. She was a member of USC's national championship team in 1983, and she continued playing throughout her life. Lulu played competitively for 20 years with her tight knit New Jersey club team, the Morristown Field Club, and more recently in La Jolla, California. She also was an accomplished platform tennis player and won the NJ State Mixed Platform Tennis Championship in 2009. She has been a board member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Foundation since 2008, and in November, she received the Foundation's inaugural Service Award for her generous contributions to the tennis world. Her passion for health and fitness evolved into the world of intense spinning and hot yoga as she often took unsuspecting friends and family to classes. While undergoing treatment, Lulu founded her own spin cycle studio called POE (Peace on Earth). Lulu overcame tremendous odds following her 2009 cancer diagnosis. Her tenacity, perseverance and courage enabled her to continue living life to the fullest. In sickness and in health Lulu found adventure, beauty and joy in each day that she lived. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister and daughter. Her children meant everything to her and she was proud beyond words of their strength and achievements. She was a beloved aunt who had a special relationship with each of her nine nieces and nephews. She was also a loyal friend to so many who loved her unique and direct way of telling it like it is. She had a beautiful smile, underscoring the incredible happiness that defined her life. Her loved ones will proudly reflect on Lulu's gracious heart and pure beauty, inside and out. Lulu lived a big life in a short time; she was creative, daring, and bold. She took the lemons she was dealt without complaint. Her spirit lives on and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her will never forget how truly exceptional she was. Lulu is survived by her loving husband Doug and their four children; Annie, Robert, Tommy and Scottie. She leaves her mother Rosemarie Richardson and sisters Julie (husband Ryan) and Gayle, brother Laurence (wife Trish) and sister-in-law Joan (husband Ed). She also leaves nephews Cameron, Mack, Teddy and Wyatt; nieces Ellie, Lauren, Alison, Julia and Paige and mother-in-law Margaret Kimmelman. Her father, Dr. Raymond Gregg Richardson, predeceased her. Lulu's family, in conjunction with the USTA Foundation, is embarking on the development of a community tennis center in inner city Los Angeles in her honor. It is their collective goal to create a premier center that will provide facilities and programs to make her favorite sport more accessible to kids in need. It was her dream to bring tennis to children like those she taught at the Raymond Avenue School. The Carol Richardson Kimmelman Tennis Center will bring this dream to fruition. Donations can be made to the USTA Foundation Incorporated, noting The Carol Kimmelman Fund. Checks can be sent to The USTA Foundation 70 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604 or made online at www.USTAFoundation.com.