Bridgeport High 2001 Grad who Aided Health Causes in U.S., Africa, Haiti, Kate Ashley Dieringer, Passes
It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved Kate, who left this world far too soon.
Preceded in death by her maternal grandparents (Anna Marie and Dominick Madia), paternal grandparents (Jane and Edward Dieringer), great Uncle Jim Dieringer, and Aunt Angela Madia.
She is survived by her parents, Robb and Janet Dieringer, sister Sara DePuglia (Adam), nephews (Dominick and Sonny), multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends from all over the world, and adored dog, Violet.
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She also earned a Creative Writing Certificate from the Writer’s Studio at Simon Frasier University in Canada. Kate’s thirst for knowledge was insatiable. She never stopped learning, never stopped questioning, never stopped striving to understand the world and its people more deeply. This passion drove her from the very beginning of her career. First as a registered nurse in the ER, and later as a forensic medical nurse for trauma and sexual assault victims. Consulting with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Kate helped to provide health care for women and children who lived in transitional housing. She also carried her skills and heart into the Peace Corps, where she became a guiding light for those in need and worked to alleviate the burden of malaria in Malawi. Kate also was a Key Populations Program consultant to assist with strategies to assist the West African Aids Foundation. Her journey continued taking her to Haiti with Partners in Health, where she provided, not just medical care, but dignity, compassion, and unwavering support to the underserved.
Most recently, while living in Malawi, Kate brought her expertise and heart to USAID as a Senior Clinical Family Planning Advisor, continuing her mission to create a better and more just world. She not only helped as a healer but a changemaker- challenging policies and advocating for women’s rights in sexual assault cases, leaving a lasting impact on policy across the globe. Her devotion to public health was never just a job-it was a calling. Whether in a crisis zone, or a quiet moment of one-on-one care, she believed in the inherent worth of every person she met. Her immense empathy was only matched with an unshakable resolve to fight for justice, fairness, and a world where no one was left behind.
Kate was also an exceptional writer, a gift she nurtured from a young age. She was a published author whose works appeared in Emerge 21: The Writers Studio Anthology, Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, and Women Speak. Through her words, she gave voice to the unheard, educated the world, and shared the beauty of human resilience.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kate embraced life with an open heart and a fearless spirit. She was an avid reader, journaler, and partaker of the arts. She loved hiking, running, and proudly completed the 2015 Richmond Marathon. More than anything, Kate lived for all of life’s experiences. Including traveling the world (6 different continents), attending Woodstock, dancing at concerts, stopping to watch the sunset, or finding joy in the simple, yet beautiful moments of life. She carried a pure heart, gave selflessly, and only ever asked for the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Kate was a light in this world-compassionate, endlessly curious, and unwavering in her devotion to serving others. She believed in honesty, loyalty, and justice for all. Touching lives across the globe with boundless empathy and determination. Kate’s legacy is one of love in action. She was a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, godmother, friend, and mentor to so many. Her laughter, wisdom, and fierce spirit will be profoundly missed and the impact she made will continue to ripple throughout the lives she touched.
To keep Kate’s spirit alive, let us carry forward her mission: to be kinder, to serve selflessly, and to never turn away from those in need. She leaves behind a world that is better because she was in it.
To honor her memory, the family asks that donations be made to Partners in Health. Partners in Health, 800 Boylston Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02199. https://www.pih.org
Rest in love and light, dear Kate. Your work here is done, but your love and legacy will never fade.