Kamya Lyn Paddack Reed

It is with broken, shattered hearts that we announce the passing of Kamya Lyn Paddack Reed. Kamya was born on December 31st, 1983, in Indianapolis, IN. For forty-one years, she lived a life marked by kindness, bravery, and love. She departed this life on September 22nd, 2025, after a three-year battle with cancer.

She is survived by Reagan Green (daughter), Bernard Reed (husband), Donna Paddack Kocher (mother), and Rachel Colburn (sister), as well as her Grandma Kocher, her nieces, numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and cherished friends.

She was so beautiful. Elegant. And graceful. Even in pajamas, with her hair a mess, and no makeup, she was beautiful. And when she dressed to the nines, her beauty was beyond description. She lit up every room she entered, and you felt lucky that she was there with you. She was like the dream of one who had spent their whole life hoping to see the peak of beauty. Her laugh was infectious and freely given. She exuded joy. She was so smart, with a cunning and clever mind. She was so quick witted and yet tempered in her thoughtfulness. More than smart, she was wise, and there are many for whom her advice was priceless. She was always present in the moment and anchored those around her to the preciousness of life. She adored peace and calm, found for her in long walks through a park, or with a good book on the porch, in the sounds of the rain, a warm bath, or just listening to the sounds of gentle waves crashing on the shore. She loved animals, especially her dogs, Duchess, Phoebe, Bob, and Lola. But her heart was so big, if she saw a stray dog while out driving, she would pull over to rescue the lost pup. And if you needed anything, anything at all, she would so often drop what she was doing to come help. It was an honor to know her, and for all those that were lucky enough to love her, she was precious beyond what words can describe.

From an early age, Kamya had a fierce independent streak. She always wanted to do things herself. Her mother Donna encouraged her to be her own person; to find her own way. Kamya was the consummate big sister for Rachel. Her childhood wasn’t always easy, but Kamya lived in the moment and grew into a beautiful and strong young woman. She had a beautiful voice and loved music. She could master any instrument she picked up instantly and participated in Band and Madrigals Choir at Brownsburg High School. Her talent for singing was so great, she ended up touring England, singing in some of the finest cathedrals and concert halls in the world.

Kamya believed in love through actions. She loved fiercely and passionately. And more than that, she endured for those she loved. Sacrificed of herself whenever she could just for the chance to show how much she truly loved us.

In August of 2006, Kamya gave birth to her daughter Reagan, who would become her whole world. Kamya’s love for Reagan was boundless, and she proved her love everyday with actions. As a single-mom, Kamya never let the challenges and struggles prevent her from giving Reagan an amazing childhood. She would work late into the night, pick up Reagan from a babysitter or family friend, and in the morning on little sleep, take Reagan on an adventure, often to the zoo, or the art museum, or to just a local park. Then she would head to class at IUPUI, where she pursued a double-major in Finance and Supply-Chain Management at the prestigious Kelley School of Business. We do not know when she slept, but sleep was not a priority over making sure Reagan had everything.

In 2009, while working on a group project, she met the man who would become her future husband and the love of her life, Bernard Reed. They dated for a while, before on a date at the Indianapolis Symphony Yuletide, Bernard asked her to be his girlfriend officially. They never missed another Yuletide. They shared a wonderful, gentle romance that lasted the rest of her life. Their love story included glamorous vacations, and quiet little moments of love. He proposed to her in the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and they were married in an elegantly beautiful wedding at Newfields in Indianapolis on May 10th, 2019. She brought much to him, including a daughter, incomprehensible happiness, and the best days of his life.

In August of 2022, just a few weeks after her daughter’s 16th birthday, Kamya was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. The doctors believed that she only had a few months, but Kamya, as she always did, vowed to exceed all expectations. She wanted to see her daughter graduate high school and make it to college. She persevered through all the pain and torment and misery that can be thrown at a human being with a grace and dignity that surpassed even dreams of what is noble. Where many would’ve surrendered to sorrow and pain, she endured. Even then, when a tempest of misery surrounded her, she cared for everyone around her. She was never too distracted by her own struggle to spare a kind word, wise advice, or even just a caring gentle touch of comfort. She never let her diagnosis define her, and even towards the end, no one who saw her could have believed she was even sick. With endless pride and love, she saw her daughter graduate in May of 2025, right around her sixth wedding anniversary. Soon after, through the pain and fear of a progressing disease, she helped Reagan move into her dorm at The Ohio State University, where Reagan had earned a full ride. Only then…once she knew Reagan would be ok, did she finally allow herself to rest. Her bravery and courage were endless.

She was magnificent.

We will never be able to express or summarize or explain who Kamya was and what she meant to us. No collection of words could ever achieve something so grand. But what can be said is that Kamya cherished life and the ones she loved. She lived every day with them in her heart, and through her actions and words, she made sure they understood the depths of her love. And likewise, we will miss her every day for the rest of our lives. But…even in her passing, she showed her love for us, leaving behind every memory of her gentle kindness, every warm laugh she gave us, in every time she shared her wisdom, and in every act of love large and small, she yet still surrounds us. We will always love you. We will see you again in paradise.

To honor Kamya’s life, we are holding a celebration of life at Flanner Buchannan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Rd. Indianapolis, on Sunday, the 28th of September, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The following day, Monday, the 29th of September, we will hold a visitation and funeral services for Kamya at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. The visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the funeral ceremony from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, and then burial occurring after at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. If Kamya meant something to you or touched your life in even a small way, please join us in celebrating her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the charity Infinite Strength, which supports single-mother’s battling cancer, or the Hamilton County Humane Society. We cannot think of a better way to honor her life.