Armida A. Kim

"Yes. Trust. Thank you."

Such were the final, appropriate words spoken separately to each of her three sons by beloved wife, mother, and teacher, Armida “Mickey” Kim, who died on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Middle River, Md. She was 87 years old, passing due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Armida Ann Canales was born on September 12, 1936 in Barre, Vt., the youngest of five children. Born to Eulogio and Anita Canales (née Gomes), her family came to the U.S. from northern Spain, where all of Armida’s four older siblings were born. Active and involved in the local community, the immigrant family would later have a public park dedicated to them in Barre, named “Canales Woods Park”.

Armida graduated from Spaulding High School in Barre in 1955. While at Spaulding, Armida was an avid reader of fiction, and was a majorette all four years. In her spare time, she enjoyed skiing and swimming. She spent summers working at the snack and admissions counter at the local swimming pool.

After completing high school, Armida graduated from Emerson College in Boston, Mass. During her time in Boston, Armida would meet her husband, Hong Suk Kim. The two first met while living in the same apartment building on Beacon Street in downtown Boston.

Armida and Hong Suk married and started their life together in Bedford, Mass. (1964-70). They then moved to Maryland for Hong Suk’s job with NASA. They would spend the rest of their lives in the state of Maryland — Westover, 1970-78; Glen Dale, 1978-81; Gambrills, 1981-2024; and a vacation home in Ocean Pines built in 1975 — save for two years in Munich from 1983-85 when Hong Suk joined the exchange scientist program between NASA and the European Space Organization.

While in Germany, Armida worked at the Munich International School. When the family returned to Maryland, Armida continued working in education, and completed a Master’s of Education at Bowie State University. Armida worked for Central Special School in Edgewater, Md. for over 20 years, where she taught and cared for students with severe learning disabilities. Highly regarded in her field, Armida was flown over to China in 1995 to meet and consult with special education programs in that nation. An excellent cook and proud keeper of the family home, Armida also loved to read books, attend classical music concerts, and take long walks with her pugs. Over the course of their time together, besides providing a loving and stable upbringing for their children, Hong Suk and Armida made life experiences a priority, traveling extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and South America.

A widow since Hong Suk passed in 1996, Armida devoted her energy to making sure her sons were well established and cared for as they embarked on establishing their own lives and families. She is survived by her sons: Christopher, Randy, and Gregory; her daughter in law: April; and her grandchildren: Maren, Cristian, Kasper, and Alexandra.

Armida was a true beacon of positivity and optimism. Her remarkable selflessness and generosity of spirit will continue to make this world a better place, even though she is no longer physically in it.

A memorial service will be held at Beall Funeral Home in Bowie, Md. on Sunday, June 2, from 12-3 p.m. Any who knew her are welcome and encouraged to attend.