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Kimi Ann Matsumura
Kimi Ann Matsumura
Obituary
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Kimi Matsumura Obituary
Born February 11th, 1981, she passed away on June 13th, 2025. Kimi was born and raised in West Valley City, Utah to Don and Diane Maruji, but spent most of her married life in Chicago, Illinois.
Gifted with talents in music and dance, she attended Brigham Young University, earning a degree in dance education and a minor in math education. She briefly taught at Payson High School and passed along her love of music and dance to wonderful students, all of whom she loved. She continued that work as a teaching artist for the Joffrey Ballet, teaching modern dance and ballet to young dancers in Chicago.
Ever faithful, Kimi served a full-time mission in Japan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She developed an abiding kinship with those she served among. She taught Japanese at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. She served faithfully in church callings, including as Relief Society President in three separate wards. Kimi succeeded in her quest to represent and emulate her Lord and Savior.
She married her friend and eternal companion David Matsumura on December 28th, 2004. They have three precious children, Emika, Mei, and Kai. She is also survived by her parents Don and Diane, her siblings Kristen (Ryan), Kari (Evan), Jon (Jeannine), Jared (Anna), and many, many relatives and friends. Kimi is preceded in death by her niece (Hanami Maruji) and grandparents (Huck and Yaeko Yamasaki, Kenji Maruji and Minnie Maruji Adams).
Kimi also leaves behind a legacy of kindness and giving. She is grateful to colleagues and supporters at the Chicago Autism Network, a charitable company that she founded. Countless individuals and families have been blessed by the assistance of this selfless organization.
Funeral Services will be held June 28th, 2025 at 10:00 am. Services will take place at the Hyde Park 1st Ward located at 5200 S University Ave, Chicago, IL. A link to view the service remotely can be provided upon request. Kimi gifted her body to Cancer Research to help others in their fight against this dreaded disease. Family visitation will be the hour prior starting at 9:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Chicago Autism Network or any other worthy charities of your choice.
We love you, Kimi.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Lonny and Sandy Nordberg
July 6, 2025
We had the privilege of being friends of the Maruji family through on stage studios. What a remarkable experience, family, and friends. We love you all!
Love the Nordbergs
AREVA HARRIS
June 29, 2025
If there was a way I could make the hurt less painful or help the heaviness of your heart, be lighter, I would. In being in the presence of the Maruji and Matsumura families I know that the purity of the true gospel is and always will be all that we can lean on to counterbalance all of the things we have no answer for.
Let us worry not, for the Lord knows our hearts and He will comfort us but most importantly He will welcome Kimi to the Celestial Kingdom.
I delight in the knowledge that families can be together forever. Kimi I love you, your friend and Sister in faith.
Sis AREVA HARRIS
Brittney Carr
June 28, 2025
Kimi is the only reason I tried out for the Dance Company my junior year of high school. She saw potential in me that I couldn´t see in myself. Because her inspiration and passion I tried out and made it on the Dance Company and that led to many years of dance following that. I still love dance and am grateful she encouraged me to do it. Love you Kimi! You inspired more people than you know.
Steve Bock
June 27, 2025
David - My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. While I did not meet Kimi I can tell from the comments she was a special person. You and your family are in my prayers.
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Larry&Denice Meyer Family
June 27, 2025
We send our prayers and love to the Matsumura and Maruji families. Our memories of Kimi are of her as a little girl and young woman. Even then she was a sweet and gentle soul. She was always so kind to Denice and me. I can still recall Denice saying how much Kimi always wanted to "help" with the music in Primary. All the tributes here show how that goodness grew and flourished through the years. May you have comfort and hope knowing you will once again enjoy the same sociality you have had with Kimi, but it will be crowned with glory.
Sharon
June 26, 2025
I danced with Kimi at BYU and I am shocked and heartbroken to hear this news. We are sending our prayers and love to all of Kimi´s loved ones. Our hearts are with you.
Rambam Allred
June 26, 2025
I was blessed to know Kimi in college, and even more blessed to dance beside her. What a beautiful soul, what marvelous light she carried then and clearly took that with her through the rest of her life. Sending my love and prayers to the beautiful family that she has left behind. But also my testimony that she will always be with you! And I pray that you will all be lifted and strengthened by the Lord as you grieve the loss of this precious woman.
Pastor Joaquin K. Barry
June 26, 2025
I just found out today about Kim's passing. I met her a few months ago and thought to myself what a kind heart and blessed spirt this sister has as it shown through in our conversation.
I have no words but pray that her family know what a kind and loving individual she was and this bight light will shine forever.
Milton D Thomas
June 24, 2025
My heart is heavy for the Matsumura family. Your pain and loss is immeasurable, but so is the Love and Joy Kimi left behind
Vivian Sanchez
June 23, 2025
Kimi was an amazing person with a heart of gold. Her legacy continues to impact my family as well as many others. I´m so sorry for this loss. May her memory last forever as her legacy continues to bless so many families. God bless Kimi.
Abiola Opadele
June 23, 2025
It is so sad to hear about her passing away. it came as a rude shock. She was one of the best people that I have ever met.
She cared deeply - and I mean truly, deeply - about people. Whether you were a close friend or someone she had just met, she made you feel important. She listened without judgment, gave without expecting anything in return, and loved with her whole heart.
What I will miss the most is the way she showed up - not just when it was easy, but especially when it was hard. She always knew when someone needed a kind word, a warm hug, or just someone to sit quietly beside them. She had a gift for comforting others even when she was going through her own struggles. That´s the kind of person she was.
Rest peacefully Kimi, you will always be remembered. You will always be missed. And you will always be loved.
Tiffany Gilley
June 23, 2025
I knew Kimi from Payson Ut. She was my dance coach my senior year of high school. I have thought about her kindness often over the years. She was encouraging and supportive and saw the best in me and I felt it! She was such a light to me during that time. I am so grateful for the impact she made on my life.
Ahmed Rosenje
June 23, 2025
I am sorry for the loss of your wife, I hope you and your family will be able to find peace and strength during this time
Karen Minor
June 22, 2025
My condolence to family Kimi she was such a wonderful person with such a beautiful spirit she helped me get through My problems with COVID-19 I was so afraid to go out so the heavenly father. Send her to me. I'm so grateful to have known such a wonderful person like Kimi. God bless her family.
Janina castillo
June 22, 2025
My condolences to her husband, her children and her family. Thank you Kimi for helping my family and my son. May you rest in peace and no longer have to suffer,. we'll meet again.
Love Elias and Janina
Ira Glover, Jr.
June 22, 2025
David, your strength amazes me. I am so proud of you.
Ira Glover, Jr.
Candace Rubow
June 22, 2025
Kimi was such a sweetheart. After losing my husband she was there to give support to my kids and I. Always so cheerful and strong. You´ll be missed.
Ogechi Ike
June 22, 2025
Kimi, was a mother to me, though we were age mates , Kimi showed I and my boys kindness in a way that it´s difficult for me to express. Kimi was the DORCAS of old, checking up on my family as though we were so important. All my years of being in the US, no one has showed me kindness as Kimi did , tears can´t stop rolling, Kimi will be greatly missed by my family. I pray God comfort her family at this difficult time. Continue to rest in peace, Amen.
Rayann Muhammad
June 22, 2025
I'm still in shock I can't believe you're gone Kimi. I love how you made everybody feel at home that inter our ward. You were a kind loving and gentle soul of a woman. With a strong Christian heart. You will be miss dearly.
Hugh Cha
June 21, 2025
Kimi,
You are greatly missed.
Your kindness had made such impact for many of our lives and I can´t thank you enough for that.
Will remember you always~
Barbara
June 21, 2025
Kimi will be dearly missed. My love and support to David, Emika, Mei, and Kai.
Gayle Dickerson
June 21, 2025
Kimi will be missed. Loves her laugh and smiles.
Leona Brown
June 21, 2025
I will miss you so much Kimi I´m crying right now to hear about your passing. I still can´t believe that you´re gone and I can´t even imagine how hard that you´re gone. I will tell you this is that I will never forget you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Bye for now Kimi I miss your sweet smile.
Mizuho Kato Nishihara
June 21, 2025
Sister Kimi Maruji is one of the best companions and dearest friends I´ve ever had.
During our mission, I was always moved by her kindness, humility, and beautiful heart.
I often thought that if I ever have a daughter someday, I would want to raise her to be like Sister Maruji.
One Christmas during our mission, her family gave us matching scarves. They were so warm, and I was genuinely touched.
Wearing those scarves, we went to visit a friend. Knowing that this friend worked outside in the cold winter, Sister Maruji, without a moment´s hesitation, took off her scarf and wrapped it around our friend.
Watching her give away a scarf she had just received from her beloved family without hesitation, I thought-she´s just like Jesus.
She is the kind of person who acts immediately for someone else´s sake rather than thinking of herself.
Even as a mother, I can imagine she would have been just as wonderful-loving, selfless, and strong.
I miss her so much. I had always looked forward to seeing her again someday.
Her example continues to teach me many things in my heart.
I will be forever grateful. I look forward to seeing her again someday.
I love you!
Jaquel Stokes
June 21, 2025
We didn´t know Kimi and David for a long time, but our paths crossed in Chicago while my husband (Steve) and I were attending graduate school. We shared a meal or two with them at their home and loved their company. Kimi was very bright-eyed and had an absolute genuine love for her Savior, Jesus Christ and His gospel. She radiated this light wherever she went and I´m sure her experiences she gained on earth will serve her well with the next mission her Heavenly Father has for her. May God be with all of her family/friends and comfort and bless you till we all meet her again. Love you forever Kimi.
Ann Lopez
June 21, 2025
Kimi, I am still in shock that you're gone. We were diagnosed around the same time and you were there for me when we first started this journey. While we never met in person, we had so much in common that we naturally became friends. I will always remember your kindness and your love for the CCS community. Thank you for being there for me. Rest easy my fellow CCS warrior.
Brinn (Klein) King
June 21, 2025
What a beautiful disciple of Christ, Kimi always was!! We performed together with OnStage and Kimi was always the hard working, encouraging, balancing, non-drama, ever smiling, quietly giggling person. She was a peacemaker and always a quiet leader. She was so talented and beautiful! She never caved with the morals she established for herself but also never made anyone else feel bad for not. She was positive and definitely one of Jann´s favorites! I´m happy for her next phase, but my heart goes out to her sweet family and kids. May you feel peace, comfort, and hope ahead.
Dana Bryant
June 21, 2025
Kimi was such a shining star, such confidence and grace wrapped in a beautiful human. She was a blessing to the autism community, I am grateful to have known her, she will be missed. Dave, I pray God´s comfort and strength for you and your family.
Mike DiMauro
June 21, 2025
I had the chance to network with Kimi through the Chicago Autism Network. I am thankful for the opportunity of networking with her. This is a huge loss in the autism community in Chicago. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the Chicago Autism Network.
Mizuho Kato Nishihara
June 21, 2025
Sister Kimi Maruji is one of the best companions and dearest friends I´ve ever had.
During our mission, I was always moved by her kindness, humility, and beautiful heart.
I often thought that if I ever have a daughter someday, I would want to raise her to be like Sister Maruji.
One Christmas during our mission, her family gave us matching scarves. They were so warm, and I was genuinely touched.
Wearing those scarves, we went to visit a friend. Knowing that this friend worked in the cold winter, Sister Maruji, without a moment´s hesitation, took off her scarf and wrapped it around our friend.
Watching her give away a scarf she had just received from her beloved family without hesitation, I thought-she´s just like Jesus.
She is the kind of person who acts immediately for someone else´s sake rather than thinking of herself.
Even as a mother, I can imagine she would have been just as wonderful-loving, selfless, and strong.
I miss her so much. I had always looked forward to seeing her again someday.
Her example continues to teach me many things in my heart.
I will be forever grateful. I look forward to seeing her again someday.
I love you, Kimi chan!
Jacquelyn Christensen
June 20, 2025
I´m so sorry to hear of Kimi´s passing. My husband and I knew her and her family in Hyde Park during our grad school years. She was so bright and we especially loved her youngest, Kai. She was a wonderful mother, teacher, friend and advocate. She will be missed. Sending heartfelt condolences to her loved ones at this time.
Leona Brown
June 20, 2025
OMG I am so sorry for your loss David and I can´t believe that she´s gone.
Nancy Cropper
June 20, 2025
It has been many years since I've seen any of the Marujis, but there are many memories. Kimi was a talented performer and our Mark reminds me they were often partners in Onstage. Reading the obituary, I see she continued tobe a wonderful person. May your family be comforted at this hard time. We are blessed to remember so many good people from those performing days. The Cropper family is thinking of you
Nancy Cropper
Melody
June 19, 2025
She was such a great dance teacher. I learned so much from her - not just steps, but confidence. The way she spoke, the way she believed in me, it made a difference. She saw potential in me even when I couldn´t see it myself. I looked forward to her class every single day. Thank you Kimi for being one positive mentor in my life. You will be missed.
Alyssa Green
June 19, 2025
My condolences and love to your family. I had some amazing times with Kimi. She has always been an inspiration to me.
Love,
Alyssa Sakamoto Green
Rob Jenson
June 19, 2025
Our sincere condolences to the Matsumura family at this time. It was great to have seen the radiance and positivity from Kimi while we lived in Chicago and she will surely be missed. Our thoughts and prayers at this time, and may we all continue to be better because of the example Kimi always gave.
Mayumi Namgur
June 19, 2025
I´m so sorry for your loss.... I cannot believe this and imagine how David and three children miss Kimi so much now. She is one of the kindest, sweetest, truest, most loving, and faithful friends I´ve ever known... I worked in the same mission under President Suzuki with David and worked with Kimi, as my supervisor, at MTC. I love her and miss her until I see her again. I love you, Kimi. I pray for you, David. I pray for your beautiful children too.
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