Joyce Bok Nim Ko Kim

Joyce Bok Nim Ko Kim passed away in Honolulu, Hawai`i. She was born in Daejeon, Korea on Sept. 24, 1935, the youngest of five (5) children. Joyce graduated from Ehwa Girls High School, the number one school for girls in Korea, before going to Texas for her undergraduate studies at the Texas Women’s University in Denton, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts. She then attended the University of West Virginia and started work towards a master’s degree in social work before coming to Hawai`i.

Joyce came to Hawai`i in 1961 to meet Michael Cha Bai Kim, whom she would marry that same year. Her early years in Hawai`i were devoted to working and raising a family. She was one of the first manager trainees hired by Mr. Penney when the Ala Moana J.C. Penney department store first opened in the islands in the 1960’s. She was initially a department manager but her people skills led her to sell furniture and then fine jewelry before finally retiring after nearly 30 years of service for J.C. Penney. During her years at J.C. Penney, she received numerous awards and recognition for her sales. She also was a part-time realtor and owned two (2) gift shops in Waikiki with her husband, Michael.

In addition to her work, she raised three (3) children and was very faithful in her church work, as well as involved in various community service organizations. Her activities and involvement with The Episcopal Church in Hawai`i and the Diocese included: United Thank Offering (UTO Coordinator for Hawaii), Episcopal Church Women (President, Triennial delegate), and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Junior Warden, Bishop’s Committee member, Choir, Preschool Director, fundraising, Centennial Celebration Committee, and cooking and donating meals to Family Promise).

She was also active in community service organizations and efforts including: the Korean University Club, President 1988 (which provides scholarships to students of Korean ancestry attending a college or university in Hawai`i), Chongju University Foundation of Hawaii, Vice President (which funds a scholarship for students at Chongju University in Korea), and the Korean-American Empowerment Convention in Hawai`i.

She remained active in outreach to the community, participating in weekly Healing Services, Bible Study, Hula, and zoomba classes - activities held at the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall. She also provided transportation for church members over the past 50 years to church services, ECW meetings, and numerous Diocesan events.

With her joyful personality and exuberant laughter, she will be remembered with much love and admiration for her love for her family, friends, and her faith in God.

She is survived by her loving husband, Michael C. Kim; her children: Dr. Joseph C. Kim (daughter-in-law Mariya), Martha C. (Kim) Im (son-in-law Kyong-su), and Edward C. Kim; 4 grandchildren: Christiana Im, Katerina Im, Katherine Kim, and Andrei Kim; and siblings: Dr. Kook Hoon Ko, Mrs. Barbara Kim, Mr. Donald Ko, and Mr. Edward Ko.