By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.119.233) on Monday, March 23, 2009 - 8:32 am: Edit Post |
Family and friends celebrate the life of Kate Puzey
Peace Corps officials said three suspects have been detained by investigators, but that no arrests have yet been made. They haven't released how Puzey died. Family members and friends focused on celebrating her life. "Not the violent circumstances that took her life, but the 24 years she gave us," said Kate's Uncle, Gordon Benson. More than 500 people - some from all over the world - Benin, Germany, Japan – came to Atlanta to remember Kate Puzey. The Peace Corps - presented her family with a special Corps flag. "I spend one trip a year meeting with Peace Corps volunteers and I know how special Kate was," said Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson. Family members said they want the 24-year-old teacher's legacy to be one of service. "She would not in any way want her death and the events that led to her death to detract from the mission of the Peace Corps," said Benson. Benson said the children and women she helped in Benin are grieving with them. "I heard from them, talked to them, and we want them to know our prayers are with them, as well."
Family and friends celebrate the life of Kate Puzey
Family Honors Volunteer's Life
Last Edited: Saturday, 21 Mar 2009, 6:17 PM EDT
Created On: Saturday, 21 Mar 2009, 5:04 PM EDT
ATLANTA (MyFOX Atlanta) - Family and friends gathered Saturday to celebrate the life of Kate Puzey, a Peace Corps volunteer from Cumming who was killed in West Africa.
Members of the Puzey family hold on to one another as they leave the young Peace Corps volunteer's memorial service at Birmingham United Methodist Church. Kate Puzey, 24, was killed less than two weeks ago in the West African nation of Benin.
Peace corps officials said three suspects have been detained by investigators, but that no arrests have yet been made. They haven't released how Puzey died. Family members and friends focused on celebrating her life.
"Not the violent circumstances that took her life, but the 24 years she gave us," said Kate's Uncle, Gordon Benson.
More than 500 people - some from all over the world - Benin, Germany, Japan – came to Atlanta to remember Kate Puzey. The Peace Corps - presented her family with a special Corps flag.
"I spend one trip a year meeting with Peace Corps volunteers and I know how special Kate was," said Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson.
Family members said they want the 24-year-old teacher's legacy to be one of service.
"She would not in any way want her death and the events that led to her death to detract from the mission of the Peace Corps," said Benson.
Benson said the children and women she helped in Benin are grieving with them. "I heard from them, talked to them, and we want them to know our prayers are with them, as well."
Family members said Puzey had an inspiring touch that was larger than life.
"Since that's all we have left, we can hold her in our spirits and go forward from here and spread that a little further," said Benson.
The Kate Puzey Memorial Fund has been established to help causes Puzey believed in, her father said. Donations can be sent to: c/o Smith, Gambrell, and Russel, LLP, Suite 3100, 1230 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309-3592.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: March, 2009; Peace Corps Benin; Directory of Benin RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Benin RPCVs; Fallen; Crime; Murder; Safety and Security of Volunteers
When this story was posted in March 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
PCOL's Candidate for Peace Corps Director
Honduras RPCV Jon Carson, 33, presided over thousands of workers as national field director for the Obama campaign and said the biggest challenge -- and surprise -- was the volume of volunteer help, including more than 15,000 "super volunteers," who were a big part of what made Obama's campaign so successful. PCOL endorses Jon Carson as the man who can revitalize the Peace Corps, bring it into the internet age, and meet Obama's goal of doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011.
Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview
Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez.
Some PCVs return to Bolivia on their own
Peace Corps has withdrawn all volunteers from Bolivia because of "growing instability" and the expulsion of US Ambassador Philip Goldberg after Bolivian President Evo Morales accused the American government of inciting violence in the country. This is not the first controversy surrounding Goldberg's tenure as US ambassador to Bolivia. Latest: Some volunteers have returned to Bolivia on their own to complete their projects.
Read the stories and leave your comments.