Slain NH Mother Kimberly Cates Honored With Benefit Concert

HOLLIS, N.H. -- A benefit concert and community fundraiser was held Sunday in honor of a Mont Veon, N.H., mother who was killed in a machete attack.

Kim’s Concert was named after Kimberly Cates, who was murdered in her home in 2009.

Dozens of family members and friends attended the event at Alpine Grove in Hollis as way of honoring Cates, who is remembered as a beloved member of the community.

“A lot of people here know Kim -- there’s a lot of close friends,” said friend Sharon Soucy. “This is Kim. Excitement, people, good times, music. This is Kim.”

Led by MC Karl Zahn, a stand-up comic and radio personality, more than a dozen acts filled the stage with live music on two stages.

All proceeds will go to benefit the Kimberly L. Cates Memorial Scholarship, which was created by Kim’s husband, David, and daughter, Jaimie.

Jaimie, 11 at the time, was seriously injured at the time of the attack. Friends said Jaimie is doing great, thanks to the care and support of her father.

“He has protected himself and herself and you can see now the fruits of those labors on his part that she is a happy, healthy kid,” said Zahn. “Not without their moments I’m sure, privately. But straight A student, black belt in karate and she’s just a bubbly child. I’m happy to be a part of it.”

The scholarship has already helped raise more than $10,000 for local high school graduates pursuing a secondary education in the field of medicine, according to a press release from organizers.

The scholarship was made to honor Cates’ passion for nursing. She was a part-time nurse who worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua, Catholic Medical Center in Manchester and the Milford Medical Center.

“It's something to take a tragedy and make very productive and have some good come of it,” said friend John DePaulis.