From Anne Fitzgerald

Sometimes, during the Peace Corps, volunteers will come together solely in need of familiarity and a sympathetic ear. But I became friends with Cathy because I really liked her; she was kind, funny, and such a sweet person. And beneath her gentle and calm nature was a strength and steadfastness that I and others recognized and were drawn to. At a time when other volunteers are overwhelmed and stressed by setbacks and the foreignness of Africa, she was fearless and sure of herself. Cathy sought to embrace the difficulties and hardships of her work and she continuously struggled to learn from them and improve herself. I admired her greatly for that.

Cathy did not often come into Mahalapye, the nearest town and to where I was posted. Despite Mahalapye's lure of luxury in the form of other Americans, warm baths, grocery stores, and sufficient water, she was so happy and involved in her community that she hardly ever left. She worked hard to learn the language well and immersed herself into her village and her work. Through detailed emails about her clinic, her coworkers and the library that was being built, it was obvious that she loved Mookane and that Mookane loved her back.

Cathy embodied the most desired traits in a Peace Corps volunteer and in any person. She was empathetic and kind to all, secure in the face of adversity, selfless in her service to others and, most importantly, she was able to find the humor in life and was able to laugh at herself. I am so lucky to have known her and even luckier that she was my friend. I will miss you, my dear Cathy.