MIAMI, FLORIDA: Kimberly Van Gundy, the wife of former NBA coach and analyst Stan Van Gundy, tragically died at the age of 61 last week. The Van Gundy family announced that Kimberly "passed away unexpectedly" on August 16, 2023.
In Kimberly's obituary, her sister Catherine wrote, "I lost my big sister Kimberly Abbott Van Gundy on Wednesday," adding, "She was one of my favourite people and I will forever miss her. Rest in peace, Kim." However, Kimberly's cause of death has not been announced.
Kimberly was an activist and her love of animals made headlines in 2017 with a heartwarming pet adoption story.
Catherine announced in the obituary that donations could be made to Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando or Crossroad's Corral in Kim's memory.
Kimberly was survived by her mother, Jane Dennan, her father Ernest Abbott, her brothers Kevin Debe and Keith Abigail Abbott and Kristopher Dennan, and her two sisters Elizabeth McKenzie and Catherine McCarty as well as 13 nieces and nephews.
Who was Kimberly Van Gundy?
Kimberly Van Gundy was the wife of former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy. She was born on August 22, 1961, at Grace Cottage Hospital and lived her early years in South Londonderry and Springfield, Vermont.
Kimberly graduated from Springfield High School. After her graduation, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science at Castleton State College in 1979.
She went on to earn her Master of Education in Counseling at Fordham University. Kimberly had actively volunteered for multiple organizations and universities.
She has also remained a board member of Stetson University. She worked as an admission counsellor in 1983 and as assistant director of admissions at Castleton University.
According to Kimberly's LinkedIn profile, she was also a Corporate Communications and Training Specialist at FN Burt Company.
Kimberly Van Gundy and Stan Van Gundy were college sweethearts
Kimberly and Stan Van Gundy both attended Castleton State College in Vermont. However, the couple met at the college when Van Gundy was the head coach of the men's basketball team there.
Kimberly and Van Gundy first became friends and soon began dating. The couple tied the knot in May 1998.
Kimberly and Van Gundy had celebrated their 25th anniversary earlier this year. Kim shared four children — a son named Michael and three daughters Shannon, Alison and Kelly — with her husband.
Who is Stan Van Gundy?
Stan Van Gundy who was a coach in the NBA, first served as Pat Riley's assistant with the Miami Heat from 1995 to 2003. He took over as Heat head coach for more than one season before serving as head coach with the Orlando Magic and, as of the start of the 2017-18 season, the Detroit Pistons.
He also served as a coach for the New Orleans Pelicans. In his coaching career, Van Gundy won 484 games.
The former coach went 523-384 with eight playoff appearances, including a trip to the 2009 NBA Finals with the Magic. However, Van Gundy now works as an NBA colour commentator for TNT.
