Dedication to Kari Noel Egge

Shared by two of her close friends and colleagues, Mary Lung’aho and Jennifer Rosenzweig

As we went to print, we heard the sad news of the premature death of Kari Egge, whom many of you will have had the privilege of knowing and working with.

Kari graduated from Mahtomedi High School in 1985 and George Washington University in 1989. Kari earned a PhD in Public Health from Tulane University where she combined studies with HIV/AIDS- related projects. In the following years, Kari dedicated herself to international causes. Her career in humanitarian aid work spanned over 20 years with Peace Corps, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the International Division of American Red Cross (AmRC). As part of CRS’ Emergency Response Team, she played a key role in numerous emergencies, including the Goma volcano disaster, Afghanistan, Southern Africa drought and the tsunami in Indonesia. In addition, Kari helped train hundreds of emergency responders. Her last posting was to Thailand, working with those in countries affected by the 2004 tsunami. During her career, she made lasting friendships around the world. Kari was also a loving mother to Dylan (6) and Isabelle (8), taking every opportunity to introduce them to new cultures and environments.

There has been a huge outpouring of tributes on Facebook from a global community of colleagues and friends who supported her through her illness and are now celebrating her life. Here are just a few:

"Kari will be greatly missed. Her enthusiasm and passion for improving the humanitarian cause will continue to inspire all of those who the pleasure to work with her."

"She was articulate, strong, and sensible and clearly had the experience to back up all the contributions she made".

"A mom who managed to become an amazing mother and still contribute to the humanitarian field for a long time. This affected me profoundly and I know I made decisions differently because of her example. It is amazing how much impact Kari’s life had, not just on her immediate family who were blessed by her love and mourn her departure, but also on those of us who were merely in her presence and felt changed by her life and the way she chose to live it."

Some lovely memories are also shared at http://thegeographyofsoul.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/kari-noel-egge/

There will be gatherings for her and celebrations of her life happening around the world (Minnesota, Washington DC, Kenya and Bangkok). This speaks to the incredible impact that she has had on the world.

We express our sincere condolences to her children, Dylan and Isabelle, on their loss, as well as to their father, Graham Eastmond, her parents, Robert and Deanna Egge, brother Kirk and family.

Mary Lung’aho, Jennifer Rosenzweig and all of the ENN Team