EUNICE CHA GUN KIM / 1901-2005

Centenarian was often
generous to visitors

Eunice Cha Gun Kim had a busy, lively week as family and friends celebrated her 104th birthday, as reported yesterday on the front page of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Eunice Kim: She died yesterday after a birthday celebration honoring her on Wednesday

Yesterday, Kim had breakfast alone in her room at Leahi Hospital. Afterward, "she lay down, closed her eyes and was gone," said granddaughter Martha Im.

"It was fantastic that she had such a nice celebration," Im said. "On Mother's Day the family visited her." On Tuesday, Gov. Linda Lingle stopped by to present a proclamation declaring it was "Eunice Kim Day" in Hawaii. Kim was one of two centenarians honored Wednesday with cakes and leis by Leahi Hospital staff, family members and friends.

Born in Cheong Ju, Korea, Kim was "in the vanguard of women for her time," said Im. "Her teachers knew she was bright and wanted her to be a doctor, but women weren't allowed to be doctors. She graduated at top of her nursing class and was a nurse and midwife."

Kim's late husband, the Rev. Paul H. Kim, was invited to Hawaii in 1954 to be minister to the Korean congregation of St. Luke's Church.

"She was a very strong woman who was very generous," said Im. "People who visited Grandma never went away empty-handed. She would send produce to distribute to the extended family."

She is survived by son Michael C.; grandchildren Joseph C. and Edward C. Kim, Martha C. Im, all of Hawaii, and Lisa J. Gold of New York; and two great-grandchildren.

Services are pending at Borthwick Mortuary.