Windy City Wire reposted this
It is with a heavy heart that I share the heartbreaking loss of Kimberly DePaola, Windy City Wire 4th longest tenured employee at 24 years and a beloved member of the Windy City Wire family. Kimberly started her journey with us on July 10, 2000, as the very first salesperson we hired straight out of college. From that very first day, Kimberly was fearless, dedicated, and truly one of a kind—a spark that ignited everything and everyone around her. My father, the late Dick Galgano, recognized Kimberly’s extraordinary potential long before the rest of us were lucky enough to see it. He worked tirelessly to convince her to take a chance on our small low-voltage wire and cable company, back when we were operating out of a modest office in Hillside, Illinois. Kimberly took that chance, and she changed our company forever. She and my father shared a special bond—she was his first big hire, and he was the one who inspired her to take a leap of faith. Kimberly became more than a colleague; she was everyone’s sister, whether you needed one or not. I was fortunate enough to teach her the ins and outs of sales, but she brought something innate to the table: her fearless attitude, her unmatched work ethic, and her incredible ability to connect with people. She was devoted to her customers and colleagues alike, executing our value proposition flawlessly and always with a smile. On December 8th, we lost Kimberly unexpectedly. She had been battling leukemia and faced complications following a procedure. Her passing has left a void that can never be filled. For over 24 years, Kimberly was a cornerstone of Windy City Wire—someone who brought positivity, light, and love to everything she did. Words cannot express the depth of our loss. Kimberly was always upbeat, and consistently went above and beyond for everyone around her. She had so much more to give and so many more lives to impact. She was more than a colleague—she was family. While our office is filled with sadness, confusion, and even anger at this unanswerable loss, we know Kimberly would want us to honor her memory by living our lives fully. She reminded us every day to cherish our families and friends, make a difference wherever we can, and embrace the time we have, because it’s fleeting. Kimberly was a devoted wife to Chris and a loving mother to Ava, and for them, we are heartbroken beyond words. She will always be remembered for brightening every room she entered and every life she touched. Kimberly, you were loved beyond measure, and you will be missed more than words can say. Rest in peace, my friend.