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You are missed and remembered, Kimarlee. You were a brilliant writer with such devotion to your craft. I admired and was inspired by your dedication to expanding opportunities in the literary community for stories and voices on the margins. It was a dedication born of hope, born of surety that the world was a good, kind place full of good, kind people. You were a good, kind person and I'm sorry you're gone. We weren't close but I was always excited to read your writing, to hear your thoughts, and to work alongside you. Thank you for everything. I'm so sorry you're gone.

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I met Ms. Nguyen in summer school in my sophomore year, I think it was the first year she came to TBLS. She always had this aura of kindness and overall goodness. She never stopped encouraging me to complete my work and always helped me out with my writing assignments. At my lowest she was someone who I knew I could count on. She loved her students and she was always there if you needed help with anything. Thank you for being such a kind and caring person. -      Arman A.

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Kim,
Bright spirit that you are and will remain. I’m blessed that I had the pleasure of meeting and having class with you. I’ll always remember and will smile, when I think of your vibrant spirit and comforting friendliness. Thank you for sharing your presence, and your colorfully brilliant voice in writing with the world...
-belynda jones

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I am, as you are, as her friends, family, and past teachers are, devastated by the loss of Kimarlee Nguyen. Ugly tears have flowed since first hearing the news of her passing and at many surprising and awkward times since. As an adult, sort of, I should have grief figured out but NO (angry, frustrated NO). At times like this I envy those who are able to hold things together but then I worry that holding their emotions too tightly might not be healthy either. I am broken and at this point in my life I have come to own my version of grief like many other weaknesses. My grief is for all of youl. Colleagues saw her this past spring and I am jealous. I haven’t seen Kimarlee in a couple years yet her personality is so large, her laugh and smile so bright, she was never far as she will never be far from you even now. I’m angry, really pissed, that a few threads of nucleic acid and some proteins can take a light so brilliant, so young. Helpless. Your posts and photos have brought comfort. It makes me happy and proud to know Kimarlee was helping others, making a difference in the lives of many as a teacher, mentor, advisor, and friend. Her love of family is expansive. She has supported you, pushed you, laughed and cried with you, she has helped you to be the best version of you. She has given you the strength to get through, to grow through this. In time, your pain will hopefully diminish and the narrative you tell of your shared experiences with Kim will make you smile and be grateful. I am grateful she was my student. She made me a better person. Many of you share her values, her desire to make the world a better place, more inclusive. Be true to these values. You will make the world a better, brighter, safer, empowering, more equitable and accepting place. This is Kimarlee’s legacy. It is what every teacher strives for and few achieve. I know you are hurting. I am hurting, everyone who had the privilege, the honor, of sharing even a few moments with Kimarlee is hurting and feeling the darkness of this time but you will move forward with the gifts you inherited not as DNA but as words and deeds. If you listen to your heart I know you will hear her laughing and telling you to find more joy in each moment. This is the spirit she shared when she was my student, a student at Revere High School. It is the spirit, obvious in these posts and shining through the grief. I know you honor her by your kindness and growth. My heart goes out to each and every one of you, to her current and former students, friends, colleagues. I’m so sorry. Peace. Love.

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Dearest Kim,
What an unbelievable thing it is to have to remind ourselves that you are gone. Seeing your memorial, hearing your work read aloud, reading the words of people who love and cherish you, only underscores what a monumental loss the world has sustained in having your light taken from us so soon. I will think of you always, and imagine this world as it should be: shaped by your voice, made beautiful by your presence, brightened by your talent. Shine on. I love you.
Tea Obreht

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I wish I could share some stories but if there is one thing I would love for her family to know is that she did SOO much for me when I was her student in high school. She pushed me to embrace the dork I really am and was the only adult who ever encouraged me to write when she saw how much I loved it. Today I am a teacher because of her, because of everything she did for me when I was going through the worst times of my life (losing my brother, becoming homeless, being in just the worst mindset). She really shaped who I turned out to be, how I teach my own students and how I view life. She was and still is amazing, I will forever keep her memory alive in my teaching, and the way I live. I am so sorry that she's gone. Thank you <3

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Dear Kim,
I never got to meet you and I remember when I woke up to news of your passing here in Phnom Penh via this news article https://cne.wtf/2020/04/16/khmer-american-writer-teacher-dies-of-covid-19/ .  I cried because you had been taken too soon, cried because I only found out about you in this way and not before, and cried because of how much talent you had. I then started to read your writing. I am Cambodian by background too and my family are also refugees. Friday 17 April marked the 45 year anniversary of the start of the Khmer Rouge regime. You wrote so hauntingly beautifully about the trauma, fear, sadness and despair of what our country went through. Your writing was WOW. Not only that, Cambodia is still suffering from a shortage of talented artists (including writers), so my heart broke at everything you represented not just for the US, but also for Cambodia and our history.

Now I see the tributes flooding in, how much love and light you shared with the world, and how beautiful a soul you must have been. And I smile. Because  you have left such a mark and because the world is a better place for having had you in it.

May your soul rest in peace. Awkun Oun.

Love, Piny Ly

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sometime four years ago, a small group of s decided to come together and start the asian student association. i didn’t know you, but you would become our advisor for the next three years. in those three years, you encouraged our ideas, countered moments of ignorance with conversation, and nurtured so many of us in that room with your humor, compassion, and wisdom. there were so many lessons you taught me about leading a club as a dramatic teenager, asian-american activism, how teachers can also be friends and confidants, and the importance of believing in yourself, your voice, and your power.

it’s taken me a long time to write this and honestly, it’s still hard. at first, it was hard because i felt guilty. when i found out the news, i was waking up in my dorm room after missing my english class that morning (i promise it’s just my zoom motivation slowing down). it didn’t feel real but then as i scrolled through my phone, images of your funko pops and decorated classroom filled my head along with the sound of your nicknames and contagious laugh. i remembered the feeling of sitting in your classroom hours after school had already ended or walking through the hall to bug you about something asa-related. but i also started panicking because i didn’t remember those three years with you as well as i hoped (or should) and i’ve been spending the past two weeks letting myself revisit the not-so-distant past.

there are a lot of vague memories of the mundane moments i won’t take for granted. like the model un conference memories of us falling asleep during excruciatingly long speeches, making fun of the preppy private school kids, and cheering obnoxiously for tbls kids. like how there was always gossiping before asa meetings or stressful email and text chains about planning and logistics). all of these moments with you brought so much joy. you taught me that maybe opening up to my teachers isn’t so bad because they can be funny and loud and supportive and down-to-earth.

part of my guilt came from not remembering as much or as clearly as i should. but most of my guilt came from forgetting that, besides these fun memories, you were one of the most important mentors i’ve had. in those three years, you supported me, inspired me, motivated me to become who i am today. i didn’t realize it had a name, but imposter syndrome hit me hard as everyone began applying to college. i have memories of you giving me the space to feel scared and insecure as a little first-gen low-income baby, while also lifting me with so much validation, so much guidance, and so much tough love. i remember so many moments where you would compliment me on an asa presentation or idea that i had, especially when they were more personal like indonesian identity or undocumented immigration or wealth inequality. you always held space for the issues i cared about, offered compassion and conversation whenever i was upset or confused, and always, always encouraged me to be my fullest self— with all of my passions and emotions and ideas.

i’m sorry i let the time slip away and didn’t keep in touch like i should have. i’m sorry i never told you, like really told you, how absolutely wonderful and life-changing and hilarious and inspiring you were.

three years ago, i was an awkward southeast asian daughter of immigrants who was angry at the injustices affecting her loved ones, but just didn’t know where to start and didn’t think anyone cared about what she had to say. i’m still awkward and i’m still angry, but i’m stronger and louder and more unapologetic. i learned from the best.

you know that i could go on (the hours i’ve spent just talking after school, distracting you from grading and distracting me from going home prove my point) but i’ll save those memories and reflections for another day. as i’ve thought about the three years worth of memories, i’ve realized that the ‘memorial’ never really ends. there are so many more random memories of blunt humor and feelings of community that will come flooding back. there are so many more lessons you taught me about activism or privilege that i will finally understand after not fully ‘getting it’ in high school. i wish we could sit and laugh and vent about the craziness that goes on in our lives and the world around us. but for now i will honor each memory, feeling, and lesson with everything i got. i will try to nurture our communities with as much laughter and thoughtfulness as you did. i will try to make it to my next english class (and the other ones after that).

thank you for everything.

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Kim and I got to know each other initially because she was super buds with my cousin Charlene at Vassar, and super buds with my animal physiology lab mate Lexi. Kim is the kind of friend who draws you into her world and would leave you with no doubt that she valued and loved you. And gosh, her humor - there is no one on this planet who was as honest, loving, joyful, resilient, and rip-roaring hilarious as Kim. I always felt incredibly honored when, on rare occasions, she would give me a sneak peek of a piece she was writing. Whenever we could find time to meet up, we'd talk for hours on end. I can't believe she's gone, and my memories keep returning to last summer when she was at her residency in MN. She was so happy and content being in a place where she could freely write, reflect, and swim in the lake while watching her favorite bird, the loon. Later that year, while at Lizzo's concert, she texted me "I feel so fulfilled". She was slaying at life. The unfairness of not being able to witness my talented, hardworking friend fulfil her dreams fills me with so much anguish. This world is an infinitely dimmer and emptier place without her. -Grace

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Dear Kim,
I think today it finally hit that you are not writing away in New York, loving others and bringing your joy and kindness to the world and it hurts so badly.
I've been working really hard to keep a positive attitude and be extra, extra kind to people now that the world is down a Kimarlee. That's not fair.
I was a freshman on the rugby team when you were a senior. I wasn't sure where I fit at times, and you could sense that. I didn't matter if I was feeling shy, outgoing, happy or sad- you would bounce right up with a hug and a smile. It didn't matter how intense the game or the practice was- you were there with an encouraging shout, clap, or loving shake (seriously you definitely shook me back and forth sometimes and it always made me laugh).
When I went through a weird time post-season, you invited me to get together with you before a big party, meaning that I wouldn't have to walk in alone.
Your love, your kindness, your smile- they gave us all space to thrive. Who could fail with the world's best cheerleader behind them, right?
You're gone, and that's not right. I will carry your love forward and will share it with others. I will do my best to bring even a fraction of the light you brought to the world.
Love,
Keri

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I .... didn't actually know her, but I can see how much this world has lost with her passing. Since reading a snapshot of her life on the NYT, I decided to search for her writings online. After reading maybe every single one all I can say is that they are truly beautiful and she was truly a gifted writer. This is an inadequate tribute I know, but I felt drawn to share how much of an impact Ms Nguyen had even on strangers who just spent a night reading her work. Sending all my love to her community and everyone she touched

are not adequate for this, but I guess I'll start by saying I did not know her.

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Kim and I were on the same floor freshmen year at Vassar and I was fortunate enough to live with her again during our senior year. Kim's energy was infectious. She loved with abandon opening herself to everyone and every experience. She brought me along senior year to volunteer with a local after school program. Seeing her connect with those children jumping right into their game of foursquare was Kim. She was  committed to them; spending her Friday afternoons not hanging with friends, but giving back to the community with palpable joy. She was passionate, she was courageous, she was honest, and kind. She also ate a frozen hamburger once when she couldn't wait for the microwave to be available informing me that it "wasn't so bad". Kim is the kind of person this world needs more of and we are all poorer for the loss.
- Dane

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Like so many others here, I was a student with Kim at Vassar. To this date, I don't think I've ever met someone with as much infectious positive energy as Kim. She was always happy, always smiling, and always lit up whatever room she was in. I spent a good deal of my initial time at Vassar with a sense that I didn't belong, and Kim (as well as many other members of the Rugby team), gave me a sense of family and belonging. She made me feel like we had been best friends our entire lives. The world truly lost a great one. We love and will miss you Kim. ❤️
-Allison Kari

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I taught Kim at a catapult class and her talents stood out immediately.  Such a vibrant spirit and personality.  I still think of her and her writing, because they were so full of depth and human emotions.

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You saw something in me that I didn't see and pushed me to try and pushed me to tap into the writer within myself. I didn't take writing seriously before taking your class and I didn't acknowledge what I could do. You helped me write my first story, remember Evangeline? I hope when you left you were surrounded by smiles and fireworks like she was following  footprints in the sand, each step highlighted by the moon’s light, the oceans fragrance and the firework band that mixed the hugs and kisses with winks and giggles. It crazy how much pain you didn't know you could feel and how much love you have for a person until they leave you. I couldn't comprehend what I was hearing, I couldn't believe it when I heard it and the funny thing all I could do at that moment was write. So I did, I wrote you a poem Ms.Nguyen. I hope you like. I know you are watching over all of us and still believe in us. I know you are still smiling but now your doing it from above, its been sunny these last few days and I know its your doing. I hope you have a good supply of iced coffee up there
-Love Michelle

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Kim and I were fellows together at the Center for Fiction, and I feel lucky to have known her; she was such an enthusiastic and kind and talented person, and the joy and excitement she felt about life was radiant. She cracked me up, and she got us together as a group to hang out, and her energy was so exuberant and optimistic, always positive, always a tonic. She made the world better, and she will be hugely missed.

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Kim and I were fellows together at the Center for Fiction, and I feel lucky to have known her; she was such an enthusiastic and kind and talented person, and the joy and excitement she felt about life was radiant. She cracked me up, and she got us together as a group to hang out, and her energy was so exuberant and optimistic, always positive, always a tonic. She made the world better, and she will be hugely missed.

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Cara

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We got hired around the same time. I remember complementing her voice (to which she laughed heartily) and she taught me how to pronounce her last name correctly lol. She was so sweet and left a lasting impression. Bless your beautiful soul!

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We got hired around the same time. I remember complementing her voice (to which she laughed heartily) and she taught me how to pronounce her last name correctly lol. She was so sweet and left a lasting impression. Bless your beautiful soul!

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“May her memory be a blessing” is the phrase given to grievers in Jewish tradition. This is the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of it, and so I’ve been thinking about it in connection to you. From your infectious smile to your tough love to your wide-open giving heart, you were a blessing. Ms. Nguyen, every room was a little brighter when you were in it. You were the kind of person everyone couldn’t help but love, because you couldn’t help but love everyone. That memory stays with us. That joy stays with us. I learned so much from you not just as a teacher but as a person. I had so much left to learn from you. I will never forget your enthusiasm or your gentle teasing or your generosity. Your memory will always be a blessing.

Rest easy, Ms. Nguyen. I miss you already.

love,

Mari

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There was only one Kim. Though I am profoundly saddened to lose her, I am also encouraged by the huge outpouring of love I've seen and felt through memories, stories and words. Kim's spirit will live in those who loved her and who she loved, and for that I am grateful. I will miss her always.

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Kimmy and I met early in freshman week (2004), and I remember feeling warmed and adored from our first interaction all the way to six weeks ago when Charlene Khoo came to visit and told me we needed to take a photo together because Kim had requested it. Since I found out about Kim's passing, I have been thinking back to all the random times we bumped into each other at ACDC or the Retreat or at a Jewett party, and how her standard greeting to me was a gigantic hug and kiss on the cheek, along with "Anita! I haven't seen you in so long. Let's hang out more! Like, right now!" followed by compliments that never seemed prompted by anything in particular other than her genuine affection and brimming wish to express it. At the time, I appreciated Kimmy - but only after Vassar, when I met competitive, unkind, unsympathetic people did I realize how rare and astonishing Kim's openness and warmth were. Unfortunately, Kim is the second Vassar '08 person I have felt gutted by losing - Ashish Patil passed away in 2014, and I thought that would be the deepest cut I ever experienced. I realized on Sunday that each loss is different, and it doesn't get easier. It does, however, get a little more familiar - so I also wanted to say to anyone reading this months down the line, who might feel like the world has moved on but you still feel the pain and wonder why: please know you are not alone, and that the people who leave all too soon remain with us in different forms than we might expect or be able to explain, long after the last breath. Rest in peace, Kimmy. <3 <3 <3 Anita

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Kim was my college rugby teammate and an incredible friend. She knew no personal space - I have a picture of her with her arm around me at at ATM, for some reason - and even though I was not much of a hugger, hers were always allowed. She always could make me smile, and that wasn't an easy feat. For me, Vassar wouldn't have been the same without her. It was a really difficult time in my life, but she helped make sure it was also some of the best times of my life. I loved spending time with her in the city, and regret not visiting more.

Kim - I'm sorry I missed you last May. You were an incredible friend to me and so many others, and we'll miss you so much.

Alana

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I met Kim in 2007 teaching for Breakthrough Summerbridge. She was bundle of happiness and laughter. She was quick to say "hey girl!" and talk to me about whatever she was thinking about at the moment. Whenever we reconnected throughout the years, it was as if we saw each other yesterday. This picture was from a dinner party with a few of our coworkers from Summerbridge. She didn't want to have the picture taken and was laughing hysterically at my dad's terrible jokes. She was so loved and will be greatly missed.

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You will be missed.

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We met her in a parent teacher conference day and instantly we love her way she expressed herself and her big but humble smile ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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We met her in a parent teacher conference day and instantly we love her way she expressed herself and her big but humble smile ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Kimarlee was instrumental in getting me back in grad school through the teaching fellows after I lost my job. Because of her I am now a high school teacher. I will always remember her help in lifting me out of poverty.

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One of my favorite memories of Kimmy was the day I ran into her in the gym at Vassar - she was on her way out, I was on my way in.  We started talking about the narrative writing class we were in and our frustrations with the dynamic of the classroom (we were two of only four students of color in that class; microaggressions all over the place when it came time to workshop our writing).  It was incredibly cathartic, but at the same time I just remember laughing so hard I got the hiccups - her observations of the class were really astute but she was also just so damn funny when she was talking about a class period I had recently missed and the way things had gone down.  We literally spent an hour and a half talking and laughing in the entryway of the gym, and I felt so much better and so much less alone after that conversation.  She always knew what to say to crack me up, and I loved being in her presence because she had such an infectious, joyful spirit that always rubbed off on me.  And she was such a talented writer - my god, I wish I had a fraction of that talent. I am so sad - and angry - that the world will miss out on reading more of her work.  Such a huge loss.  I will miss her so much.

Reeya Banerjee, Vassar '07

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I met Kim once--I was meeting up with a friend

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I never had a good relationship with my family. I never felt safe at home and I had no role models to look up to, until I met my grandma.

Ms. Nguyen, you're just like her: even though we are not related, your bubbly, considerate and generous personality still showed through. You were literally the second adult in the entire world that I'm truly happy around. I admire you so much; you know it from all the times I've stopped by your room to tell you how much I love you, and that one time I've sent a candygram to you. And let me just say, I was internally fangirling when you accepted my appreciation letter at the end of last year. That was fantastic.

Remember how you would tell me to stop eating when class started? I remember that. I remember your large iced coffee and your morning bagels. I remember helping you take the attendance with Angela. I remember setting up the class materials with Xiwei. I remember you giving me and Angela those packs of stickers. I remember your face lighting up when you wanted to show your Totoro lamp (haha get it, light up and lamp? Who knew my puns were worse than Mr. Taveras'?)

I'll miss all of that, you 'lil bundle of joy.

Who knew that Friday was the last time I'll ever see you again? I should've hugged you one more time if I knew this would happen.

Damn, I already miss you so much. You have no idea how much you mean to me, and to lose such an amazing role model like you.

I hope you're happy wherever you are, because you deserve only the best.

I don't know if I'm allowed to share that picture we took with Angela, but I'll share it anyway (sorry Angela). We were super cute!

Your biggest fan, Jessie Zheng

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I never had Ms. Nguyen as a teacher, but I know all of my friends, who did, held her in such high regards. Losing someone from a community that shaped and molded me always hurts. As any writer would want, may we continue to honor her through her words, carrying the moments that touch us most forward.

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Rest in peace, Ms. Nguyen. You will be missed by many.

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Vassar Rugby will miss her as one would miss a sister.  Even though I am a generation removed from her, I feel this loss deeply.  We are lessened by her passing but we are strengthened by the outpouring of love and appreciation from so many - students, colleagues, classmates, and fellow ruggers.

Bear

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Even though I haven’t seen you in years Kim, your spirit has lived on and will always live on in my memory and mind. You were always the bubbliest lady in RHS and I loved every interaction with you. I hope you know how many lives you have touched with your positivity. May you Rest In Peace.

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It truly hurt me to hear of your passing, Miss Nguyen. You were my British Literature teacher last year and your smile always lit up the room. You had such great energy that made the class exciting everyday and I will always remember that. Thank you for the time you've taken to teach me. You've not only taught me lessons about literature, but having experienced your optimism has inspired me to be positive as well. You were beautiful inside and out and I will forever treasure the moments that I shared with you. Also, my deepest condolences go to your family and friends. - Annaleecia C. <3

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"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

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"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

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Much of college is a blur for me. Kimarlee and I were in different class years, I can't place detailed memories but I remember her. We had some overlap in social circles, especially among more race-conscious Asian American students at Vassar. I remember her smile, warmth, kindness and laughter. I always liked Kim-she was genuine, humble, and full of light. I knew Kim was a writer, and I was rooting for her from afar. I was excited for the world to hear her voice. I am so sad to hear of her passing. Rest in power, Kim. JW '07

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Kim, you beautiful angel-woman, you. You are every person's favorite kind of person. And as I've taken some time to reflect on your way of making such strong friendships with people so immediately and effortlessly, I'm realizing that every person is your favorite kind of person. This is a quality of yours that I have always admired because I struggle with it myself. I was always taught to be wary of loving people too quickly, so I'm normally a bit guarded (in my own private way) when I first meet people. But you never let people like me get in your way when you've already decided to forge a sincere, lasting connection with them. When you want to know people, you don't let up. You make them sit next to you. You invite them to the private pre-party before the big party. You tell them all your secrets and invite them to share theirs. You get to know people's parents and significant others... intimately!!! Then you follow up and check in to ask how people's families are doing whenever you see them. All of this trusting, loving, supportive stuff - you've always made it seem easy but I know that it's not. It is a big deal to be there for so many people!! And I've watched you do it for the better part of fifteen years. The way you've showered folks with affection whether they're your family, friends, partners, colleagues, students or whomever... that love is unmatched. I, personally, have never seen anything like it. I love you, Kim. Thank you for blessing me with our friendship. You are with me in my thoughts now and forever.
<3
Lorraine DeGraffenreidt

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I can't comprehend what a world without Kim looks like. I looked through my pictures from college today and Kim was in almost every one of them. Neither of us remembers exactly how we met but i am positive it involved her getting all up in my face, making some awkward comment and charming me with a compliment and invitation to watch Cirque du Soleil on DVD. She was so good at annoying the hell out of you but also making it impossible to ever stay mad at her. I found a graduation card she made me that said she'll try harder than anyone else to stay in touch and she was right. I will always feel pain over every text she sent saying "CHARLENE I MISS YOU" that i forgot to respond to. I was supposed to be in NY in March. We were supposed to go see Blood Orange and trash talk the problematic musical about Cambodian rock together. We probably would have gotten some dope food. Maybe i would have seen her apartment finally. Maybe we would had Family Dinner again and she'd make me something delicious. This post is all over the place because i have no idea how to memorialize someone i'm not ready to say goodbye to. I'm grateful to everyone on here who's sharing their memories in a more coherent way because i want to keep feeling like she's still here, that there's more of her i'm learning about, that there's more to come.

charlene k

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Kim was an unmistakable force of energy and 100% one of a kind. I've never met someone else who was quite as bright and bold, and yet seemingly effortlessly made it a priority to make sure that everyone else was included. Kim was a year ahead of me at Vassar, and whenever I was doubting myself, went out of her way to be kind, joyful, and uncompromisingly optimistic. She put her whole, passionate self out there when most others were afraid to, and there was more than enough of her light for everyone to share. Kim, I will never laugh as hard as I did with you during our rugby trip to England when you made us look up "bowler hat factory" in both the yellow AND the white pages of the local phone book. Even though we hadn't stayed in touch, I tell others the story of that night often and remember it when I'm feeling down. I'll remember the lessons of how loving you were and carry it in my heart always.

Andrea Listenberger

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Kim was the single most joyous person I know. Her humor and happiness were magnetic, her kindness and empathy were unmatched. It is hard to imagine such a bright light being extinguished far too early. Much love, xx, Kalen

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You dressed up as a goddess for Halloween in 2005, the literal embodiment of your spirit. I hadn’t seen Kim since our 5 year class reunion but after all these years I can still vividly remember the sound of her voice and her laugh. She was always larger than this life....a literal shiny person that radiated joy and had an unparalleled talent for bringing people together. She was loved deeply by so many people I knew at Vassar and she always made me feel seen whenever we ran into eachother. I knew how deeply talented Kim was and awaited the day I’d see her novel on the shelves of a book store. This is a tragic loss for the world....rest easy dear Kim, your light lives on in all of us...❤️

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When we weren’t giving each other advice, lifting each other up, telling each other how much we love each other, we were dreaming of alternate realities where we lived in the same place, cooked each other home-cooked meals, watched Korean dramas together all day, summered in Ely, had teleportation devices to cuddle each other when we needed it most. We sent each other selfies and affirmations because they made us feel good. Everything reminds me of you. I see your face looking at me with sympathy. Your delight at being so loved, so remembered. Your encouragement and straight talk to move forward and never forget. How could I, Kim? Impossible. We had so many plans. I will live them out not by myself, but with the memory of you by my side.

I can’t believe we won’t have one more late night call or text exchange that ends with me telling you to GO TO SLEEP because it will be better in the morning and IT IS LATE THERE! To tell you one more time that I LOVE YOU and YOU ARE THE BEST because you are. I keep telling myself that I can’t think of your departure from this world as a void, to reframe and embrace that you are still here in so many ways.

I find comfort in knowing that you grieved, too. I never met Braulio but feel like I did because of how you kept him alive. I hope you find each other. I will keep you alive in story, in thought.

You sent this picture of you at the beach after leaving New York as the pandemic escalated. You were so happy to be with family in Revere, so comforted. You said if you died of coronavirus - not knowing weeks later your family would be ravaged by it - at least you would be with family. At least you would be by the beach. At least you were living your best life this past year. You wanted more but you could be at peace with less.

Rest in power, love. Queen. Force of nature. Friend.

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Kimarlee, it's been a while since we've talked, but I published a story of yours a few years and it's one I treasure.

I teach it, I think of it, I read it often. It stands out as one of the most memorable stories I've published over my entire career as an editor. My heart breaks for you, your family, and everyone whose world you brightened, but it also breaks for everyone whose world you had yet to brighten with your kindness, your words, and light.

I will continue sharing your beautiful work and do all I can to support other WOC writers. Shine bright up there, and rest in power. <3 <3

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Kim was by far one of the most amazing people I have ever known. She was such a bright, wonderful presence and helped make my time at Vassar so incredible. Kim had a way about her unlike anyone else - within minutes you’d felt like you’d known her your whole life. She was passionate, loving, hilarious, and amazing. I still remember to this day how she’s talk about her family, particularly her nieces, with such love - that’s saying something for the 18-22 year old kids that we were. She had such positivity that it was overwhelming in the best of ways and urged you to be better to meet that positivity. The world really will be a little darker for having lost her light. ❤️

Natasha Walicki

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Kim, you are the one person in the world I don't know how to live without.

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You lit up the room. Love you, Kim

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I was disheartened to learn about Kim's passing. I wasn’t close to her as some of my college friends, but I remember her as a powerhouse of joy and kindness. Reading testimonies of her brilliance as a writer, teacher, and daughter of immigrants escaping political violence makes me feel both inspired and incredibly sad that the world will be without her light.

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Kimarlee, you don't know me, but I know you. My name is Kimberly Nguyen. I also go by Kimmie. I was assigned your Vassar email. I know this because I received a lot of email, mostly spam, addressed to you. At first I thought that they were emails to me with my name interpreted horribly wrongly, but I looked you up one day and found out that you were indeed real. The connection we share is one only fate could write. We have names so similar we were assigned the same Vassar email, we both graduated from the same college, we are both from refugee backgrounds, and we are both writers. The night I looked you up, I read every lit mag/journal that had your name in it. I had been on the fence about declaring my English major for ages. I declared a week after I learned about you. Sometimes I doubted if a female, daughter of refugee poet would ever make it. When I did, I would Google you again and read you again and again. You became my silent role model throughout my budding writing career. I still have your email address. I have filled your former inbox in a way I can never fill your shoes. I meant to meet you at the AAWW to tell you about this brilliant connection we share, and now this connection is lost to me. I know that my grief could never compare to the grief of someone who knew you personally, but I am grieving so much the connection with you I missed. Thank you for giving this refugee writer so much hope in her undergrad years. Thank you a million times.

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R.I.P Kim - You were one of the funniest people I have ever known. You could be sweet and so deep. Some of my favorite Rugby practices involved joking around with you or going to Stewarts afterwards for ice cream. I have not spoken to you in a while, but I always found comfort in knowing you were out there - putting your writing out into the word and making a difference in the lives of young students. The world is poorer without you in it.

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R.I.P Kim - You were one of the funniest people I have ever known. You could be sweet and so deep. Some of my favorite Rugby practices involved joking around with you or going to Stewarts afterwards for ice cream. I have not spoken to you in a while, but I always found comfort in knowing you were out there - putting your writing out into the word and making a difference in the lives of young students. The world is poorer without you in it.

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I will remember Kimarlee as the person whose face you hope to see in a sea of strangers, always offering a hug and a spot at her table. She had the enviable talent of making people always feel welcome and like they were enough. We haven’t kept in close touch, but I’ve missed her and I will miss her. Kimarlee were the kind of friend who I felt that if I reached out to, even years later, that we’d be able to catch up as if no time had passed. I’m sorry that I missed my chance. I hope you knew how much you were loved, respected, and admired. We lost one of the greats. - Ellie Damashek, Kimarlee‘s Vassar schoolmate

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Kim and I taught together for two years in Brooklyn, and we quickly bonded over food, music, and the struggles of being first year teachers. She was fierce, funny, big-hearted, and a joy to be around. When I moved to Philly, we kept in touch and saw each other a few times a year, but when she came to stay with me for a week to attend a writers workshop in Philly our friendship really deepened.

Kim took great joy in celebrating some of the quirky, silly, and beautiful things in this world. She bought me marimo moss balls, convinced me to go on whale watches, obsessed over a board game about birds, and fantasized about moving to Vermont to live on a sheep farm and write. She would text me almost daily about these things.

But she also became the person that I would turn to for deep conversations, when I really needed to process something in my personal or professional life. She always listened without judgment, and was truly compassionate in the way she viewed the world.

Lastly, I’ve never met anyone who is so moved by words, music, and life in general, as Kim was. I loved seeing live music with her, because in sharing the feeling of a song - whether joyful, cathartic, or sad - the connection became so much deeper.

She loved her family and friends with all her heart. She shared her love of reading and writing with countless students. Reading their reactions to her death has absolutely crushed me, but it’s also assured me that her spirit will live on.

There was no one else like Kim. I will miss her dearly.

Paul Holt

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Kimmy, Remember when we went on rugby tour in England and France, and I was sad because of a breakup, and you came and cuddled me in the middle of the night, and then made me pretend like we were lovers in Paris on honeymoon? We drank from the same punch bowl with two straws, took 'couple' photos in front of all the tourist attractions, and you made me laugh so hard that I forgot I was sad. Now you are gone. I am so sad and you will never be here again to make us all laugh through our tears. In truth you made everyone feel like they were on a honeymoon with you. I always left any time we spent together feeling lighter, more joyful, and better about myself. Somehow you always knew what people needed, and you gave it to them  unreservedly. And you never stopped giving us, your students, and the world the love we all needed. I never understood how a single person had so much of it to give. So much boundless, infinite, unjealous, love.I don't know how to say goodbye. Thank you for reminding me that writing is first and foremost an exercise in loving each other better. Thank you for your faith and hope in the world that you and your family experienced as a nightmare.Thank you for your stories, for the breath and life they gave to fierce Asian women who never backed down from anything. Thank you for never compromising your dreams. For seeing the most beautiful thing in everyone and pulling it, kicking and screaming, out of them. You are the kind of person we needed now more than ever and goddammit Kim, we need you and you're gone.  I will never stop missing you.

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Kimmy had such a kind, generous and open heart. Hilarious, and an incredibly talented writer, whose words we all need in the world. We went to college together and were roommates for the last six weeks of freshmen year. I wish I had told her more how much fun I had living with her. I wish we had kept in touch. Most of all I wish she had more time.

I do not have any photos of us, but yesterday I found the card she made me for my 20th birthday. The last line and signature say, "Go on with your bad self and celebrate! Love, love, love. Kim."

May your name and memory be a blessing. Rest in power, Kim.