Kaija Leena Hite

On February 6, 2025, Kaija Leena Hite, 20, passed away in her childhood home after a two-and-a-half year battle with a mystery illness. Her Celebration of Life Service will be held at Carmel Baptist Church on Saturday, February 22 at 10 a.m. Visitation with her family will occur after the memorial service. Kaija's ashes will be divided, allowing her to rest in the columbarium at Myers Park United Methodist Church, as well as a cemetery in Latvia; shared by her mother's family. It was her wish to rest next to her cousin, Chad, yet also be buried in her second homeland.

Kaija was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to David and Dace Hite on July 25, 2004. Kaija grew up attending Carmel Baptist Church. She attended Elizabeth Lane Elementary, South Charlotte Middle School, and Providence Senior High School for her primary and secondary education. After graduating high school in 2022, Kaija decided to pursue a degree in Exercise Science with the hope of ultimately becoming a physical therapist. She committed to and attended Berry College for three months before coming home due to the rapid onset of her condition. Her dream later changed to becoming an occupational therapist, but her desire to help others through their own struggles and pain never did.

Kaija knew no stranger. She met everyone with a smile on her face and a laugh in her heart. No one would ever leave her presence in a sour mood. She was as ambitious as she was kind and was always thinking of what gift she could be giving. Her love was boundless, her mind held to no limits, she was the type of soul you'd want to meet on your worst day. It almost seemed as if everything she touched would soon turn to gold.

While not perfect, Kaija was undoubtedly the hardest worker in the room. If her mind got set upon a goal, she would stop at nothing to see it through. It was her dream to travel the world and meet as many people as humanly possible. Even when it became impossible for her to move and achieve these dreams, she still made sure to remember every name she came across. She took tremendous pride in making strangers feel like friends and learning the stories and testimonies of all the doctors, nurses, physicians, therapists, and first responders who lent a helping hand during her ever-present battle with her sickness. It was one of these doctors who gave her the idea for her passion project, "Love Over Limits", an initiative used to brighten up the rooms of patients who couldn't enjoy the holidays in their own homes. One string of lights was all it took for Kaija to know exactly how she wanted to continue to make an impact among others who were struggling just like her.

In addition to helping people, Kaija enjoyed gymnastics and creating art. She competed in gymnastics for the better part of ten years until a build up of injuries caused her to limit her involvement to watching World Championships and the Olympics. Art, however, was something she enjoyed to the very end, dabbling in pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, painting, vinyl, and many more mediums. Kaija was a talented photographer and always had a tremendous grasp of colors, shades and tints. Her eye for detail was unmatched; a beautiful tool that allowed her to create the most mesmerizing pieces of artistry.

Kaija's faith always shone vividly through her reputation and actions. One of the last words that Kaija said on this side of heaven was "I choose God, and I trust in Him!"

Kaija is survived by her parents, David and Dace Hite; her brother, Dave Hite; her grandmother, Skaidrite Atvara; her best friend, Alden Dexter; and her pets, Steve and Milo.

Memorial donations can be made to: https://www.re-sourcesforhope.org or checks can be made out to re+sources for hope and sent to 3848 W.Carson St., Suite 110, Torrance, CA 90503

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704)641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com