Murdered Peace Corps Volunteer Identified
EmailABC News’ Kirit Radia Reports: Today the Peace Corps identified the victim of this week’s tragedy in west Africa as 24-year-old Catherine "Kate" Puzey of Cumming, Ga.
Puzey was found dead outside her home Thursday in a small village in the western African nation of Benin. There is still official no word on the circumstances of her death, though officials say it appears she had been murdered.
Puzey had been a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin since July 17, 2007, almost two years ago. She was an English teacher in the small village of Badjoude, about six hours north of Benin’s capital by car. A memorial for her will be held in the capital city of Conotou on Monday.
"Kate was an exemplary member of the Peace Corps family whose dedicated work as a secondary English teacher in a rural public school in Badjoude, Benin, contributed greatly to the lives of the Beninese citizens. Kate’s life and work spoke volumes about the kind of dedication she had to her service as a Volunteer, and the U.S. Peace Corps is greatly saddened by her loss. Our condolences go out to her family and loved ones at this time," Peace Corps Acting Director Jody K. Olsen said in a statement.
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Thank you for this post about Kate Puzey, Mr. Radia. Those of us who knew Kate — and all who knew her loved her — are starving for more information. There is no official report, there is no satisfaction, and there is certainly no way to have her back. Can you imagine the grief, the loss to the entire world to learn that this brilliant, beautiful, talented, loving, joyous young woman has been murdered? Her mother spent a week with her in the lovely village of Badjoude last summer and knew that Kate was loved and respected by everyone there in her Peace Corps work and her personal magnetism. WHAT HAPPENED?????
Posted by: Martha | March 13, 2009, 9:15 pm 9:15 pm
Im one of Mrs. Puzeys (Catherines mother) 7th grade student at Little Mill Middle School, Georgia. All the students Pray for Mrs. Puzeys return at school. Our class were writing pen-pal letters to Catherines students down in Benin. It was really fun and she did a good job teaching them down there. We dont know where Mrs. Puzey is at the moment but we wish for her return,but of course she can take all the time she wants. we all support her 100% and we wish her well.
Love
Teachers Pet,
Emily Georgia
Posted by: Emily Bell | March 13, 2009, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
Kate was a gentle, smart, fun-loving wholesome respectful, student, babysitter, friend, daughter, sister extrodinaire…so when a tragedy like this happens….the hole it leaves within family, friends and aquaintances’ hearts is gigantic, botomless in fact.We, on Okinawa, were shocked and saddened by this news. Kate and her family were log-time residents here and her parents were educators in the Dept of Defense School System. When word reached the island of this unthinkable tragedy it was broadcast immediately in the middle of the morning to the schools network. Everyone was shaken, thinking of her enduring God knows what, of Lois and Harry, her dedicated folks and her brother, too. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to pour out our grief to the Puzey family. ALso for getting the word out about our wonderful Kate.
There is 24 years of a well-lived life. May we remember the light that she brought. C Shank
Posted by: Carla Shank | March 14, 2009, 2:33 am 2:33 am
I went to school with Kate in Okinawa Japan. I consider myself one of her closest friends. We kind of lost touch when she went to Africa, but I know she was doing WONDERFUL things. Everything she did was filled with love and kindness. I can’t believe she’s gone. Myself and all her friends are all consumed with grief over the loss. I can’t imagine what her family must be feeling right now. I can hardly type this comment. She was VERY loved. Such a loss for the world.
Posted by: Raymond | March 14, 2009, 2:42 am 2:42 am
Friends, Thank you for your support. Kate will be buried in Atlanta on Sat. March 21,2009. Anyone is welcome to come. As her dad I can tell you my heart has been ripped out as she was the beaacon of light for our family. She alwaays tried to help people. Please do not demean her life by negative comments. H.L. P
Posted by: Harry Puzey | March 14, 2009, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Lois, Harry and David,
We’ll remember your family in our prayers during this very sad time.
In Christ’s Peace,
Lisa, Rob, Lauren, Ryan and Emma Nalepa
Posted by: Lisa Nalepa | March 14, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
Mr. & Mrs. P,
Our daughter Nia is a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin. Nia met Kate briefly at the celebration of the 100 year anniversary of Peace Corps in Benin. She remembers her as a model volunteer. If we can be of service to you, please do not hesitate to call on us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
George & Tina B
Georgia
Posted by: Tina Marshall-Bradley | March 14, 2009, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
Harry and Lois,
Joe and I are deeply saddened to learn of Kate’s death. We remember her as a bright, sunny child who brought your family so much love. It sounded like Kate was doing wonderful things for humanity and her life was full of promise and hope. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers here in Minnesota.
Posted by: Jan Perske | March 14, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
As the parent of a RPCV in West Africa and Fulbright scholar in Benin, my heart goes out to the parents of this bright, bright young woman. She sounds like she was a wonderful person and a dedicated PCV. We parents always worry about our adventurous, self-confident daughters, but we cannot let that worry diminish their remarkable accomplishments. Kate sounds like she has left quite a mark, even in her 24 short years. What a bittersweet joy to look at the photos on her blog, and how wonderful that her mother was able to spend time with her in Benin. My deepest sympathy to you, Mrs. P.
Posted by: Peri | March 14, 2009, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
My daughter, Emily, is also teaching English in a small village in Benin. She and Kate were friends. I can identify with the pride that Kate’s family must feel about her contribution to the world. Kate’s death is a tragic loss. My heart goes out to her family with deepest sympathy.
Posted by: Judy Diamond | March 14, 2009, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
My son, Nathaniel, is also a PCV in Benin. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Puzey family and to all the PCV’s in Benin during this time.
Posted by: Nancy Kilanowski | March 14, 2009, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
As a former PCV in Benin (1992-1994), I am so saddened to hear of Kate’s death. I can only imagine the grief of her family and friends as well as the American and Beninese communities who valued her many gifts. Please know that I am thinking of you all.
Posted by: Erica Wolff Verkleeren | March 14, 2009, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Harry & Lois,
My daughter Melissa is a health care volunteer in Benin, who knew Kate and stayed at her house. My wife Amy and I briefly met Kate and Lois when we visited Benin last June. We are all so saddened by your loss. Kate was a wonderful woman who did so much to better the plight of others. She has left an indelible mark on our world and will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Peter K & Amy W
Posted by: Peter Kadzik | March 14, 2009, 10:23 pm 10:23 pm
Lois, Harry, David and Grandmother Mary, All we can do is offer our love and support and our prayers for you. May the Lord give you strength to endure this nightmare. Nelson and I are so sorry about Kate. She lived more in 25 years than most do in a longer lifetime. Her blog is so beautiful and will stand as a tribute to a precious young girl.
Posted by: Donna Benson | March 14, 2009, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm
Harry and Lois – My thought and prayers are with you and your family.
Posted by: Kim Brogle Cramer | March 14, 2009, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm
My daughter, Rima, is also teaching in a small village in Benin with the TEFLA group in the Peace Corp. She has had many times of sharing and laughter and comraderie with Kate. She considered her one of her best friends as they traveled together on their vacation days and met in Cotonou with other volunteers. Rima said that she was the happiest person she ever knew ,very caring and loving. The people in her village loved and appreciated her teaching their children. As parents were hold you in our prayers daily. God Bless you,
Posted by: Arie marguerite | March 15, 2009, 2:25 am 2:25 am
I’m a Benin RPCV(06-08), and was posted in a village around 30 miles away from Kate. I was fortunate enough to meet her as our time in Benin overlapped. All I remember was an extremely kind and gentle soul who embodied the compassion and fortitude which many Peace Corps volunteers aspire to maintain.
May she rest in Peace, in God’s good grace and blessings.
God bless her family, and may he grant you strength in these times.
Posted by: Mohamed Elmeshad | March 15, 2009, 5:23 am 5:23 am
My heart goes out to Kate’s immediate family and her extended Peace Corps family. I hope it is and will be some small comfort to know that she and her work will be long remembered and appreciated.
Joan McKniff
Peace Corps Volunteer
Colombia, 1963 -65
Posted by: Joan McKniff | March 15, 2009, 9:04 am 9:04 am
Harry, I recently met you at ACC while I was receiving Chemo. My mother and I really enjoyed our conversations about world travel and hearing about your wonderful family. We just read the shocking article in the newspaper this morning and want you to know how saddened we are to hear about your daughter. Please know that my mother and I are thinking of you and your family and have you in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
Cindy and Shirley
Posted by: Cindy Holeva | March 15, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Dear Harry and Lois,
Our hearts are so saddened by the loss of your daughter, Kate. Our son Todd is a PCV in Benin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Posted by: Holly and David Odess | March 15, 2009, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
Dear family and loved ones of Kate,
I only learned of Kate and her loving life after her death. My heart aches for you and all who love her.
“We cannot, after all, judge a biography by its length, by the number of pages in it; we must judge by the richness of the contents. Sometimes the “unfinisheds” are among the most beautiful symphonies.” — Viktor Frankl, The Doctor and the Soul
Posted by: Catherine Siewick | March 15, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
To Kate’s Family,
My son started as a PCV in Burkina Faso at the same time your daughter/sister started her work in Benin – July 2007. As Peter began his commitment to Peace Corps work I remember thinking (and still firmly think) that he was embarking on work that I could never tackle myself – teaching in a distant poor country, in a small remote town, learning new languages and new ways of daily living, willingly commiting himself to two years of effort in an unfamiliar culture. Your daughter was obviously of the same ‘right stuff’.
I’m so sorry for this tragedy. I’m sure your emotions are mixed. She was involved in a great worthy cause – selflessly serving others – leaving her mark on the world scene at such a young age. Achievements that will not fade with time. I’m so sorry for your loss. The ‘right stuff’ comes from ‘good stock’.
Please know that you are not alone. God bless you.
Dave C
Canada.
Posted by: Dave Crysdale | March 15, 2009, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
To Kate’s parents: I’ve been in tears no matter what I’m doing since I heard this news. My daughter was over there with her before returning home last summer due to illness. My heart is breaking for you now. What a gift she was to you, and the world.
Pamela D
Posted by: Pamela DeMontbreun | March 15, 2009, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
Lois,Harry,and David and all of the
immediate family….There are no words to express how devestated Butch and I, our families feel, in hearing this tragic news. Harry and Lois, we commend you on your interview (Ch 2) honoring her life and the work she was involved with as a PCV. One day when the horrific pain subsides, hopefully when you read all the beautiful words from people all over the world, it will fill your hearts with wonderful memories. Today we understand the pain is more than you can bear, but please know that we love you and pray that God will give all of you courage and strength to make it through this.
I like one of the postings above that says Kate was the “right stuff”and that comes from “good stock” and we as family know that to be sooooo true!
Love in Christ,
Linda, Butch, Kecia, David, Jake, Peyton, Stacy, Eric, Morgan, and Tanner.
Posted by: Linda and Butch Benson | March 15, 2009, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
Dear Puzey Family,
This tragic news has traveled around the world. Kate, truly was a Citizen of the World. My Japanese mother-in-law called tonight and wanted to know what had happened to “her Kate.” She said that she had so wanted to see her again.
So do we all.
Our Heartfelt Condolences,
C. Ramsey,
Posted by: C. Ramsey | March 15, 2009, 11:19 pm 11:19 pm
Dear Puzey Family,
Our son Andrew was a friend/classmate of Kates at William & Mary. We had the pleasure of meeting her at a graduation party. She spoke passionately about her desire to join the Peace Corp in order to really make a difference. May you find some peace and comfort in knowing how loved and respected Kate was.
Blessings, Stephen and Ruthie Gordon
Posted by: Ruthie Gordon | March 16, 2009, 12:45 am 12:45 am
This is extremely saddening and disturbing news. I can only imagine the grief, horror and confusion Kate’s family must be going through. All of my condolences to her family. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer just a few miles from Badjoude, Benin from 1993-1996 and can only remember the kindness and warmth of the local people. I hope that Peace Corps will be forthcoming with all information relating to her death if not to give her parents some answers but also to pay tribute to the dedication of Kate’s work in the region.
Posted by: Reena | March 16, 2009, 3:00 am 3:00 am
My heart goes out to Ms. Puzey’s family. As a PCV in Ukraine, we like to think we are safe 100% of the time, but that’s a fallacy. Culture and language differences mean that anything can happen at any time. I am fortunate to have only been a victim (so far) of petty theft.
For her mom, know that your daughter died doing a service I feel is much more valiant than our military, if only because of the different levels of support. Your daughter is a hero and should always be remembered as such.
Posted by: PCV Brian Woods | March 16, 2009, 5:41 am 5:41 am
I am a former Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa. I did not know this volunteer but my heart and sympathies still go out to her family and freinds.
Posted by: Joyce Burnett | March 16, 2009, 8:43 am 8:43 am
We knew Kate as a little girl and knew her family as well and we are so sad to hear of Kate’s murder. Our hearts are heavy as we know how very much this family has gone through over the years. We have no words to express our extreme sorrow just know that you are all in our thoughts and our prayers.
Dave & Alyce Stewart
Posted by: Alyce & Dave Stewart | March 16, 2009, 9:09 am 9:09 am
Our grandaugter is a pcv in Benin/ I cannot imagine what you are going through. We send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family
god bless
shirley & norm Moreau
Posted by: norm &shirley Moreau | March 16, 2009, 9:37 am 9:37 am
Kate’s uncle, Dave, was our pastor at Johns Creek UMC years ago. If Kate was anything like him, she did leave an indelible mark on the people she met! Shelby and I are praying for the Benson/Puzey families, and feel especially empathetic as we look to this fall when our 24 year old daughter, Jacquelyn, will head to Africa. It is obvious from these posts that Kate was a remarkable person and was loved and respected by all who knew her.
Posted by: Jenni Tolliver | March 17, 2009, 8:09 am 8:09 am
Many condolances and sympathies to the friends and family of Kate. I too lived in the next village over. Actually in the same house as Reena (poster above). I can only say how sorry I was to hear this news. Both for the volunteer and her family but also for the poor people of these villages. They have come to rely on the Peace Corps so much for strength, guidance and hope. A tragedy like this devistates them more than most here can imagine.
Sean O’Keefe
RPCV Ouake, Benin
1998 – 2000
Posted by: Sean | March 17, 2009, 9:21 am 9:21 am
Harry and Louis, I just found out about your loss through the “Augsburg” chain of communication. I am so, so sorry for you loss. She was absolutely beautiful. Louis, she looked just like I remember her Mom. Just know that Daddy will be watching out for her in heaven. All my love an condolences. Michelle Greenspan Ives
Posted by: Michelle Greenspan Ives | March 17, 2009, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Absolutely disgusting, Bob.
Posted by: Wendy | March 18, 2009, 3:58 am 3:58 am
To the family and friends of Kate:
As the parent of a 24 year old, PCV daughter in Niger, West Africa, this has hit very close to home. My heart is breaking for your loss, but also so grateful to know that Kate cared so much about the world that she was contributing in making it a better place.I’m sure that those she touched will never be the same.Find comfort in knowing that Kate lived doing what she loved. I too cherish my Sunday morning phone calls to my daughter in Africa, and I will be sure that we take some time to talk about Kate.
Warm thoughts,
Carol
Posted by: Carol Ucci | March 18, 2009, 9:33 am 9:33 am
As another mother of a 25-year-old daughter who is a PCV in Kerou, Benin, my heart goes out to all the family and loved ones who knew and were close to this wonder young woman. It hits very close to home, to all of us who worry about our children so far away. May peace and strength be with you as you forge the difficult road ahead. There are no words or acts that can bring back your lovely daughter. Know that she, you and your family are in the prayers and hearts of tens of thousands of caring people who do not even know you, but who care and mourn your loss. Your daughter was doing wonderful things and the world will miss her.
Deborah
Posted by: Deborah Napier | March 18, 2009, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
I served in Niger just North of Benin from 06-08. No words will ease your pain. But know that our global community is hurting for your loss.
Posted by: Sarah, RPCV | March 19, 2009, 11:02 am 11:02 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alessandra
Posted by: Alessandra | March 21, 2009, 9:06 am 9:06 am
To Kate’s family and friends around the world – I’m a stranger to you and never knew Kate, except through the love pouring forth at her loss, as her kind-heartedness and passion for service are remembered. It’s certain that her legacy will live on. She’s touched my heart in her passing. I know she rests in God’s peace today, March 21, and also that He will provide the strength you need to go on.
Posted by: Karen Bray | March 22, 2009, 12:57 am 12:57 am
To all who loved Kate,
I am so sorry. I only knew Kate through her blog, which was vibrant, touching, thoughtful, and frequently made me laugh out loud. She had the talent of making you feel transported to Benin through her writing, and she clearly loved her life in Africa. I was an English teacher in a village in Tanzania when I was 24, so the struggles and joys she experienced in Benin were familiar to me. This is difficult to comprehend, but please know she touched many, many people. My thoughts are with you and please let us know if there is something we can do to honor Kate’s memory.
Posted by: Sarah | March 23, 2009, 1:32 am 1:32 am
Lois & Harry,
Our prayers are with you at this time of inconsolable sorrow. After reading the wonderful comments to Kate and her writings from Africa we are sorry we did not get to know her during our short time together in Augsburg.
Katie and Bob S
Posted by: Bob & Katie Schneider | March 28, 2009, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm