Kate Sue Yi, a junior Cal State Long Beach nursing student, died tragically last Thursday. She was 20 years old.
Auria Zahed, a junior psychology major, said there was never a dull moment with her close friend Yi.
“She was always smiling, laughing and being a goofball,” Zahed said.
According to Zahed, Yi went to Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo, where she grew up.
Zahed said Yi knew how to appreciate and love life.
“Everyone who knew her would agree that she was the most positive and energetic person that they have ever met,” Zahed said.
Kim Ryman, Yi’s roommate and friend, described Yi as sweet and kind.
“All she ever did was watch episodes of ‘Friends’ back to back while studying for nursing,” Ryman said.
Kenna Scheetz began nursing school this semester with Yi and said she would have liked to have known her longer.
“The thing about nursing school is that you feel like you have known these people forever,” Scheetz said. “You go through so much with one another that you become dependent on each other for survival.”
Scheetz described Yi as a motivation to get through nursing school.
“She was always smiling and laughing at everything,” Scheetz said. “She had this contagious personality that brought others to smile along with her. She had this sincerity about her that was so genuine. To know Kate was a blessing.”
Scheetz said she will keep Yi in her thoughts throughout her life and wishes Yi could have been able to experience more life.
“I can only pray and hope to see her bright smile again someday, and I send all my condolences to all who knew and loved her, especially her family,” Scheetz said. “I will always carry Kate Yi with me because she has touched my heart and the hearts of so many. She will never be forgotten.”
Kara Zdimal, a junior business marketing major, said she has been friends with Yi for over three years and lived with her and two other friends in the campus dorms last year.
“She was definitely one of the silliest girls in the suite,” Zdimal said. “She would laugh at anything and everything and almost always had a smile on her face.”
Zdimal described Yi as an incredible student, a great friend and someone full of life.
“I’m blessed to have known her as long as I have. She will truly be missed,” Zdimal said.
Yi is survived by her family and parents, Young and Churl Li, of Lake Forest.
The memorial service for Yi will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at California Mortuary in Downey. The funeral will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress.
Kendra Ablaza contributed to this article.
It was a blow to hear she was gone…having had classes with her all four years of high school its just sad to know that such a sweet and amazing person is gone.
I lost a part of myself when I found out!…
Trabuco Hills High School*
(…if you want to be precise…)