A Miami University alumna has died, but her fun-loving nature and enthusiasm for life live on through the lives she touched.

Kimberly "Kimi" Young, 22, who graduated from Miami in December 2008, was a fixture in the Oxford community.

"She was the face of Oxford; everyone knew her," said Jessica Pardue, class of 2009.

Pardue met Kimi during a painting class her junior year and got to know her better through a mutual friend.

"She just seemed like the type of person you wanted to know," Pardue said about first encountering Kimi. "She was always willing to talk. She was fun, happy and goofy but in a way that made you want to get to know her."

Pardue said Kimi was an incredible friend who was a great listener and was always willing to be a shoulder to lean on.

"She gave the best hugs and everyone noticed," Pardue said. "She always wanted to seize the moment and live life to the fullest."

Pardue recalled suffering from mononucleosis (mono), and Kimi visited to make pizza.

"She dragged me uptown and it was one of the best nights," Pardue said. "She wanted everyone to be happy and wanted the atmosphere of friends and family all the time."

Pardue said whenever Kimi was upset, she'd never let it affect other people.

"She was a genuinely nice, happy person," Pardue said. "It's almost not fair that someone so kind and generous was taken away."

Jessica Fitzpatrick, an Oxford resident, first met Kimi through work at Bagel and Deli Shop.

"All I can say is she is sunshine," Fitzpatrick said. "To know her is to love her. She had so much love and gave so much love."

Fitzpatrick said she really got to know Kimi during fall and winter 2008.

"We were walking in the snow and didn't have any thick socks and our feet were cold, so we went and bought 12 pairs of thick socks," Fitzpatrick said. "She was so excited about it and had so much enthusiasm."

Fitzpatrick lived with Kimi during summer 2009 and said the two had an amazing time.

Mark Mendoza, a doctorate student, said Kimi was the first person he met when he arrived in Oxford from England.

"I was outside of Kofenya and she came out and started a conversation," Mendoza said. "That's what she was great at. Meeting her that way was typical of her, she was the spirit of this place and it isn't the same without her."

Mendoza said what he'll miss most is Kimi's full range of smiles. He said she had one smile in particular that always made his day.

Mendoza said one Thanksgiving after everybody had left Oxford, Kimi invited him over.

"We ate for days and watched American and British comedies," Mendoza said. "Kimi was very much a part of the community and was the figure that brought the locals and students together. She never said a bad word against anyone."

Mendoza said there was something very classic about Kimi, and she had the incredible quality to make every situation fun.

"Kimi is a shining example that college isn't just about going to classes," Mendoza said. "She was a constant supply of energy. I'll miss dancing with her, too. She was always dancing through life."

Senior Troy Konopka lived with Kimi in summer 2009. He first met her when they worked together at Bagel and Deli Shop and he said she was the best person to work with on late nights from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

"We had the same musical interests and then started getting drinks and hanging out," Konopka said. "She was full of love and caring. She was also brutally honest, which shows that she was a real friend."

Konopka said a fun memory was when he, Kimi and another roommate had a contest to see who could wear a headband the longest.

"After a month we caught her with it off, and she said it wasn't fair," Konopka said. "She was a really fun person to be around."

Oxford resident Nico Phelps met Kimi two years ago through mutual friends.

"She instantly warmed my heart and we became fast friends," Phelps said. "She was open-hearted and open-minded."

Phelps said even going to McDonald's for a drink was an adventure with Kimi.

"She was positive about causes like social justice and she could heal any situation with her energy," Phelps said.

Kait Jones, a graduate student, met Kimi in an art class. Even before meeting Kimi, Jones said people told her Kimi would be the happiest person she'd ever meet.

"It was true," Jones said. "It was impossible to be upset around her. I'd always go into Bagel and Deli and wouldn't have to order because Kimi would make something delicious and awesome."

Alex Womacks, class of 2009, had painting classes with Kimi throughout her time at Miami.

"She was really supportive, sweet and outgoing," Womacks said. "She would talk to anyone about anything. This is so hard to wrap my head around."

Jones said Wednesday night a diverse crowd of around 50 people gathered at Burrito Loco in honor of Kimi because she loved to go there Wednesdays for margaritas.

"There was a tangible power in the room because everyone was there for her," Mendoza said.

Through her time in Oxford, Kimi worked at Kofenya, Bagel and Deli Shop and Bill's Art Store.

Bill Berry, owner of Bill's Art Store, said he hired Kimi three years ago because she was the happiest person he's ever known.

"When in the store she could make everyone smile," Berry said. "She was a very good person and was always like that."

With an outpour of more than 100 Facebook.com posts since Sunday, Kimi is a woman who will not be soon forgotten.

"Wherever she was going to go, that place was going to benefit from her," Mendoza said.

Kimi was going to turn 23 Sept. 27. She died early Wednesday morning at University Hospital in Cincinnati. It is possible she died of complications from pneumonia and the H1N1 virus.

Services will be held Friday in her hometown of Wayne, Ohio.