Kaija Leena Hite

February 6, 2025

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 10am. 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
 
 

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Comments

  • Elise Tuz

    I remember when the Hite’s came to our house to hang out one evening, and at around 9pm the parents said “Okay, we are only staying for a few minutes so wrap up your game!” (We were playing “Apples to Apples”) Well, sure enough, the adults kept talking for another 3 hours so they ended up leaving at Midnight! It was such a wonderful time filled with laughter and jokes!

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  • Falinda Farley

    I am just being introduced to KAIJA through Victoria Willingham’s post. Blessed to read about this dynamic young woman and pray all who mourn her passing will be blessed by “the man of sorrows acquainted w grief…JESUS CHRIST!

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  • Debbie Vanhoy

    I knew Kaija best in her preschool years when I was on staff at Carmel Baptist. Even in her preschool years Kaija was a bright light. She stood at the table on Wednesday nights and said her verses with such confidence and clarity. She came with a smile and left with a smile.
    Memorizing scripture came so easily for her.
    I trust those scriptures etched in her heart in those preschool years brought comfort and peace to her in her times of struggle and pain.
    I have art pieces Kaija gifted me with over the years. She was talented and thoughtful. I treasure those art pieces even more now.
    I was invited to the Hite home for dinner.The kids were helpful and respectful to mom and dad. It was such a blessing to see and SO obvious how David and Dace were pouring into their children. That “pouring into” continued , even in the toughest of times. They scarified, advocated, loved and cared for Kaija in every way.
    Heaven rejoices when a single one comes to know Him. I suspect this will be a season of thunderous applause as the life, death and legacy of Kaija lead many to the Savior she knew and loved.

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  • Kermit Erickson (and Aynn)

    We are so sorry about this sad news of Kaija's death. It is so hard to lose a child, and we know you will miss her greatly. We have been praying for you for weeks and will continue to pray that God will give you peace and strength as only He can at a time like this.

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  • Jacqueline morgan

    My heart goes out too you all,meeting kaija,was so unexpected for me,and to littery fall in love with such a beautiful soul, she always had a bright smile, just like that sun, so I gave her tha nickname @Sunshine, because she always had a smile for us all nomatter her situation,,she was pure,love, you will always be remembered my sunshine ? ☀️ ❤️

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  • Kim McConnell

    What a beautiful tribute to a spectacular young lady. She will be missed by all who know and love her. What a difference she made while on this earth! My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

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  • Cassy Culley

    What a beautiful tribute for such a beautiful girl. She sounds incredible. I’m so very sorry for your loss and so very happy that you can rest knowing exactly where your girl is now. Sending lots and lots of prayers your way.

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  • Sophie Hider

    Kaija has always been and will always be one of the best people I ever met. She never ever failed to make me laugh along with the hilarious, beautiful laugh she had. She was a light and she will continue to shine through the brightest days. We went on vacation together and I swear I’d never had so much fun or laughed so hard before, even when she almost injured herself while river tubing. She was always such a positive person. Sleepovers were so cathartic and we confided in each other about a lot, including her health struggles. I always knew she was strong, but it’s obvious she was strong until the very end. To her best friends who were there for her through it all, and her beautiful, kind family: you all are so strong, and I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss — I know it’s a huge loss for the world but especially to you all. Sending so much love and good energy for you all to persevere through this grief. I probably, unfortunately, will not be able to make it to the memorial service, but I will be thinking of everyone who loved her and how amazing she was on that day and on days moving forward. ❤️❤️❤️

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  • Hollis Marek

    I'm so very sorry for your loss! Your daughter was obviously a very special person and I know she will be missed. How lucky she was to have such a loving and supportive family.

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