Kimberly Ann Shabazian, born January 29th, 1954 in Los Angeles, passed away after 71 trips around the sun in Lake Forest, CA on September 13th, 2025, after being a long time resident of Laguna Beach.  Born to Evadean and Roger Smith (passed), she is survived by her husband, Steve Shabazian, daughter, Elizabeth Fuerstman, her two siblings, Steve Smith and Nancy Wooton, and her mother Evadean.

Kim was an incredible artist, ballerina, historian, chef, wife, and mother. She started her dance and art career in Orange and Villa Park, CA.  At only 5'2", she painted oil canvases many feet taller than her, depicting life, death, the everything and nothing of the universe. By twelve her paintings appeared to be at a professional level, and by high school her psychedelic dreamscapes contained Dali-like detail. Anyone who was lucky enough to witness Kim's work knows how singular and impressive it was, the result of years of devotion and an enormous talent.

Kim married early, but left this marriage to pursue her art career. In order to improve her skills, she attended California College of the Arts in Oakland, CA earning her bachelor and masters in Fine Art.  A ballerina since high school, she was invited to join a dance company in Berkeley. Due to her youthful appearance and skill, they were shocked to learn that she was already at the age when most dancers end their competitive career.

Her life changed course after she was the victim of an armed robbery around this time. Shortly thereafter, Kim became mother at 37. Kim and Elizabeth moved to La Quinta, CA in 1994, and she brought up Elizabeth similar to how she was raised: to roam freely, enjoying the stillness of nature, with ample time outdoors, climbing grapefruit trees, and observing rolly polly bugs.

As a mother Kim found less time to paint, but described Elizabeth as "her favorite art" she had created and ensured that Elizabeth was raised to appreciate the beauty and wisdom of nature through her Native American spiritual lens.

Kim married the love her life, Steve Shabazian, on December 5, 1999, a relationship years in the making. She and Steve first met through a mutual friend in the summer of 1972 in Vondelpark, Amsterdam, while trying to locate some missing property. Elizabeth and Kim moved in 1998 from La Quinta to Laguna Beach, where she would spend the remainder of her life.

In Laguna Beach she danced with Lila Zali and continued to work on her art as much as her body allowed. She began learning the cello, and playing violin from time to time. She enjoyed watching movies and shows, especially fantasy, for the costumes, horses, and scenery.

Kim was hilarious, vibrant, and beautiful. She knew something about everything, and could make anyone laugh. She was honest and reflective, a mirror to personal truths that not everyone was ready to see.

She loved birds of prey, horses, cats, and dogs.  Many animals passed through her care: Grey Kitty, who followed her around without a lead in her youth, Scout the horse, Maurice the poodle, and Burt, the soulful Maine Coon rescue.  Kim trained Elizabeth's best pal, Benny Gooddog, and even appeared on (and won!) an episode of Judge Judy, regarding Scout's sale. She was a hippie, a witch, a creator, and a true artist.

She will be remembered in red tailed hawks, mountains, feathers, horses, and the sea. She will be remembered in French cooking and the Louvre. She will be remembered in crying laughter, pointe shoes, oil paintings, and all the details. She will be remembered in silent snow, roaring rain, thunder, and dry, desert heat. She will be remembered in the string. She will be remembered for her long hair, her perfect pies, her tight hugs, for the silliness that lives on in Elizabeth and her friends, and the everything, and nothing, of the vastness of our universe, and the universe of our universe.  Kim, our White Falcon, is flying into another realm, and we trust we will see her again.

Kimberly Ann Shabazian's service will be held on October 25, 2025 at El Toro Memorial Park at 11:00 a.m., followed by an art show and wake in her home studio on Canyon Acres, in Laguna Beach, CA.  Anyone who loved Kim, or would like to support her family, is invited.

Flowers may be sent to Steve and Elizabeth at their home.