Kyong Ai Kim

Kyong Ai Kim was born on April 23, 1938, in Korea, the only child of Myung Yoon Cha and Sun Ok Lee. Her father was a dentist and her mother was a nurse midwife, and she enjoyed a happy childhood until the Korean War changed the course of her family’s life. During the war, she, her parents, and a few relatives were among the fortunate refugees who escaped to South Korea when American forces advanced into the North before the armistice. They were able to settle in Seoul where she grew up and later attended college and studied art.

After graduating from college, she was introduced to Heung Tae Kim, who had come to the US after the war. While he was studying for his postdoctoral degree at Stanford, she also came to the US and then they married. Their first child, Stevens Kim, was born in 1965, and in 1968 the family moved to San Jose when her husband began his career with GE. Soon afterwards, their daughter, Patricia Kim was born, and they purchased their first home in San Jose where she would raise their family and live for the rest of her life.

She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family. She provided a loving home where her two children were encouraged to pursue their dreams. Both went on to attend Stanford University, with her son becoming a physician and her daughter earning her pharmacy degree from UCSF.

Throughout her life, she quietly took care of those she loved. She dutifully cared for her parents after they moved from Korea. She endured the heartbreaking loss of her beloved daughter, who passed young from a brain aneurysm. Later, she devoted herself to caring for her husband through his battle with prostate cancer and the effects of a debilitating stroke.

In her later years, she found joy in watching Korean dramas, spending time with family, and enjoying simple outings with her son. They shared many treasured moments together shopping, dining at her favorite restaurants, and simply enjoying each other’s company. She adored her three grandchildren, Christine, Alex and Andrew asking about their lives and celebrating their achievements with great pride. One of her greatest blessings was living long enough to meet her great-grandchildren, Archie and, most recently, Oscar, whom she was able to see on Mother’s Day.

She will be remembered for her remarkable resilience, her unwavering devotion to her family, and the countless acts of kindness and sacrifice that defined her life. Though we will miss all of her unique quirks and eccentricities, what we will miss most is her gentle heart, her unconditional love, and the importance of family to her always.

Her love lives on in all of us, and her example of compassion, strength, and selfless devotion will continue to guide our family for generations to come.

A visitation will be held at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050, US, on July 11, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am, followed by a funeral service at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A committal service will take place at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 22555 Cristo Rey Dr, Los Altos, CA 94024, US, on July 11, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.