Date: November 2, 2013
TO: All Embassy Beijing Personnel
FROM: Ambassador – Gary F. Locke
SUBJECT: Passing of Zara Yee Hawthorne
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Zara Yee Hawthorne, beloved daughter of Ms. Sue Lin Yee and Mr. Jeffrey Hawthorne, passed away yesterday, Friday, November 1, 2013, at Beijing United Family Hospital. Zara was six years old. Ms. Yee is the Deputy Director of Global Disease Detection for CDC here in Beijing.
I believe it is important to communicate to you the great sorrow we feel, as well as our profound sympathies for the loss to her family and the community. At this point, the exact cause of her passing is unknown. We will share additional information as it becomes available. Our sincere condolences go out to the family, our CDC colleagues, and all mission colleagues who knew this exceptional young girl.
Let me assure you that we as a mission are doing everything we can to assist the family at this tragic time.