Ha Kyung Cho-Kim, passed peacefully into the loving arms of the Lord on December 15, 2021. She was born in Korea on September 22, 1938. She is preceded in death by her husband Kyu Ha Kim and mother Rev. Uhn Shin Kim. Ha Kyung is survived by her daughter, Mary Kim-Garrity of Boston, son Eugene Kim (Jodie Kim) of Pittsburgh, brother Sung Ho Chun (Hyerim), grandchildren: Tyler, Madison, Grant, Tanner and Luke, and nephews Daniel and Jonathon.
Ha Kyung had a passion for learning and helping those in need. In fact, she truly dedicated her life to those two things. She graduated from Ewha University School of Pharmacy in Korea. In 1961 she came to the United States. She earned a PhD in Pharmacology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She was a clinical researcher at the University of Ohio, then she owned and operated her own pharmacy. She also was an Associate Research Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. Pittsburgh had become her home where she and late husband, Kyu Ha, raised their family.
Ha Kyung received a calling from the Lord and decided to attend Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. After receiving a Master's Degree of Divinity and a Doctorate Degree of Ministry, she was an ordained Minister serving the United Methodist Church. She served as an Associate Pastor at Dutihl Methodist Church in Cranberry, PA and as pastor at Christ Community Church in Mckees Rocks, PA. Later she would serve as a pastor in Bloomington, IN. Then she was invited to be the Resourcing Director of the New England Conference of the UMC. In 2004, she served the loving congregation of Leominster United Methodist Church as pastor until her retirement.
Growing up in Korea during the Korean War with her mother brought many challenges and hardships. These life experiences and lessons learned molded her as a strong person and inspired her to mentor others, especially women. She authored many spiritual books: God of Active Verbs A to Z, and Life’s Journeys Toward Wholeness: Wellness, Transformation, Spiritual Maturity. She is also a kidney transplant recipient (special thanks to Judy Brideau) and a cancer survivor.
A calling hour will be held Saturday, December 18, from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. with the funeral beginning at 1:00 all at the Leominster United Methodist Church, 77 Hall St., Leominster. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Leominster.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Advancement Office, 616 North Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 www.pts.edu/donate.
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