The impact that Kim Keene made during her 55 years on Earth can be felt in the number of people she leaves behind to mourn her death.
The founder and former owner of The Starving Artist, a Norfolk café on North Colley Avenue, and creator of nonprofit Paint Pink, died on Sept. 16 after a battle that began seven years ago with breast cancer.
Keene’s cancer returned as stage 4 metastatic in 2022, the same year she sold the café. She started Paint Pink in June 2023 . Her dying wish was that the nonprofit continue helping residents through their cancer journeys long after she was gone.
Friends and Paint Pink colleagues told Keene her legacy will live on through the organization she selflessly created to help other cancer patients by providing services not covered by insurance, such as house cleaning, meal delivery, legal fees and bill payments. Fundraising events to support the nonprofit are planned during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month .
And Keene’s heart will also live on through her artwork, shared memories and photos highlighting her radiant smile.