WILMINGTON — Kim Little Harrington, 70, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on October 2, 2026, from complications associated with a spinal cord injury.
Kim was born on May 11, 1956, in Albany, New York, and was, above all else, vivacious. It is perhaps the word that describes her best. Kim’s signature hairstyle set the tone for her larger-than-life spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and warmth that drew people to her. She was fun, loving, thoughtful, and simply unforgettable.
Though she made Wilmington her home in the 1980s, Kim always held a special place in her heart for her native New York. She loved going back to visit and especially treasured the wonderful family and lifelong friends who still lived there.
Kim retired from Wells Fargo after a long career, but the things that truly defined her could never be found on a résumé. She loved her family, her friends, her cats, shopping, and laughing. And if there was a perfect gift out there for someone she cared about, Kim was determined to find it.
Kim was also a talented singer. She performed with several local bands, including the Carolina Beach-based band Phoenix, and sang with the Sweet Adelines, a women’s barbershop-style singing group.
At the center of Kim’s life was her husband, Tom Harrington, the love of her life. Their love and devotion to one another were evident to everyone fortunate enough to know them.
Kim was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille Elizabeth “Pat” Little and George Nelson Little, Sr., and her sister, Karen Brown.
She is survived by her husband, Tom Harrington; her brother, Nelson Little; her nephews, Michael and Sean (Stephanie) Brown; her niece, Angela Little; her great-nephews, Dylan, Jake, and Ryan Brown; and her great-niece, Scarlett Barlow.
And, of course, there were Kim’s beloved cats—Buddy, Binx, and Riley. Kim was a true cat lover, and they brought her tremendous companionship, comfort, and joy.
Kim was also blessed with an extraordinary circle of friends. Her best friend, Vanessa Pearson, held an especially important place in Kim’s life, sharing a friendship akin to sisterhood and filled with love, laughter, and countless memories.
Kim was deeply grateful for her very special caregiver, Laura Trumm, and for the friends who stepped forward with remarkable love and devotion to care for her, including Marianna Boucher, Jenel Jackson, Imer Smith, Marylou Tooley, Robin Miller, Pam James, and Susan Brown. Their friendship, care, laughter, presence, and love meant more than words can adequately express.
Kim’s life changed dramatically after a spinal cord injury left her a quadriplegic in May 2026. But even when her own world became unimaginably difficult, one of the most remarkable things about Kim was that she never stopped thinking about other people. She remained interested in their lives, wanted to know how they were doing, remembered the things that mattered to them, and continued looking for ways to make others feel loved.
That was Kim. Her circumstances changed, but the heart of who she was did not.
A Celebration of Life to honor Kim and all the wonderful memories she leaves behind will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Kim would have loved for donations to be made in her memory to a local animal charity or to an organization supporting individuals and families affected by spinal cord injury.
