Sun Ho Choi

Sun Ho was born on May 24, 1939, in Seoul, South Korea, to the renowned Korean poet Kim Sang Yong and Bak Eh-Bong. She was the second youngest of eight children and, at the time of her passing, was the last surviving sibling of her family. Throughout her lifetime, she experienced both profound hardship and great joy. Born during the Japanese occupation of Korea, she spent her childhood amid the turmoil of World War II and the Korean War. As a teenager, she endured the heartbreaking loss of both of her parents, a tragedy that required her to find strength and resilience at an early age. Those experiences shaped the perseverance, quiet strength, and unwavering determination that defined her throughout her life.

In 1976, Sun Ho and Kyu-In immigrated to the United States with their young family in search of new opportunities and a brighter future. They made their home in Louisville, Kentucky, where they continued raising their children, built lifelong friendships, and created a home filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Louisville remained home for many years and held a special place in her heart.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Sun Ho dedicated her life to her family. She shared 48 loving years of marriage with her beloved husband, Kyu-In Choi, until his passing in July 2001. For the past 25 years, she carried his memory in her heart, finding comfort in the hope that one day they would be together again.

To those who knew her best, Sun Ho was beautiful, funny, sassy, incredibly smart, and endlessly generous. She had a quick wit and an unforgettable sense of humor. Whether in English or Korean, her perfectly timed quips and clever one-liners could leave her family laughing hysterically—or completely speechless, wondering how she always managed to come up with the perfect comeback. She had an insatiable curiosity about the world, faithfully keeping up with current events and always discovering the latest health and dietary trends. She delighted in sharing what she learned and never missed an opportunity to encourage her family to give them a try. These moments became some of the many stories her loved ones will treasure forever.

She is lovingly remembered by her four children: Injong Choi; Kuk Chong Choi (Carol; Ung Chong Choi (Dwayne); and Hyemi Sevening (Gary). She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Matt, Alex, Henry, Hannah, Marie, Ian, and Isabel, each of whom brought her immeasurable joy and pride.

She is also lovingly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends in both the United States and South Korea, whose lives she touched with her warmth, generosity, and love.

Sun Ho will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family, her quiet strength, her resilience, her generosity, and the warmth and laughter she brought into every room. Her legacy lives on through the children and grandchildren she cherished so deeply.

While our hearts are broken, we take comfort in believing that she is once again in the loving embrace of her husband, whom she missed every day. After 25 years apart, they are together again, watching over the family they built with such love. Though she will be profoundly missed, her spirit will live on in the countless memories, laughter, values, and love she leaves behind. We will especially miss hearing her say, "Oh me God," a phrase that could make us smile no matter the circumstance and one that will forever echo in our hearts.

Sun Ho will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband on August 21, 2026, at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky—the city where they built their life together and the place where they will now rest side by side once again.

May her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.