New Hampshire National Guard announces death of 21-year-old specialist Pamela Usanase
The 21-year-old Concord resident drowned after becoming overwhelmed by Merrimack River currents at Pebble Beach in Canterbury.
A 21-year-old specialist in the New Hampshire National Guard who drowned last week is being remembered by friends and loved ones for her devotion to her family and for being a “focused and dedicated soldier.” Pamela Anne Usanase passed away May 31, after being overwhelmed by strong currents and deep water along the Merrimack River at Pebble Beach in Canterbury, according to her obituary.In a statement, the New Hampshire National Guard called Usanase’s death a “tragic loss.” “Pamela was a focused and dedicated soldier with a promising future in our organization,” N.H. Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities said in a statement. “She was admired and respected by her fellow guardsmen. Please keep Pamela’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”
Our Hearts Are Heavy
The New Hampshire National Guard suffered a tragic loss last week. Spc. Pamela Anne Usanase, 21, a culinary specialist with the 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion, died on the evening of May 30. https://t.co/kj5opSzOU6 pic.twitter.com/o2uwgDGCDn
— NHNG (@NHNationalGuard) June 7, 2020
The Concord resident, a graduate of Concord High School who loved soccer and spoke six languages, was a culinary specialist in the Guard’s 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion, and since April 25 she had been assigned to NH Food Bank for COVID-19 relief operations.
“She was part of a team of 28 NH guardsmen that had prepared more than 43,500 meals for families in need,” the Guard said.
According to her obituary, Usanase joined the Guard when she was 17.
“She was a focused and dedicated soldier who was admired and respected by her fellow guardsmen,” her loved ones wrote.
In addition to work with the Guard, Usanase worked part-time with her mother and sisters as a mental health worker at the New Hampshire State Hospital and as an assistant registered nurse at at the Genesis Health Care Pleasant View Center.
“She was a senior at Plymouth State College where she was named to the President’s List last year as an Allied Health Sciences major,” her family wrote. “She was planning on a career as an occupational health therapist after earning a master’s degree. She also wanted to become an officer in the NHARNG.”
Read the full obituary for the 21-year-old, shared by Bennett Funeral Home, below:
Pamela Anne Usanase, 21, of Concord died on the evening of May 30 and was announced deceased May 31. Tragically, she drowned after being overwhelmed by strong currents and deep water along the Merrimack River at Pebble Beach in Canterbury.
Pamela was the loving daughter of Marie and Cyprian Mugenga of Concord and devoted sister to siblings Aimee Uwase, Paulette M. Niwewase, Feydeau P. Mugenga and Anaelle Mugenga.
Pamela was a soldier in the New Hampshire Army National Guard’s 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion. She was a culinary specialist who since April 25 had been assigned to the NH Food Bank for COVID-19 relief operations. She was part of a team of 28 NH guardsmen that had prepared more than 43,500 meals for families in need. Pamela also worked part-time with her mother and sisters as a mental health worker at the New Hampshire State Hospital, and at the Genesis Health Care Pleasant View Center in Concord as an assistant registered nurse. She was a senior at Plymouth State College where she was named to the President’s List last year as an Allied Health Sciences major. She was planning on a career as an occupational health therapist after earning a master’s degree. She also wanted to become an officer in the NHARNG.
Pamela was a 2017 graduate of Concord High School where she excelled as a student and athlete. She spoke six languages. Soccer was her favorite sport. She joined the NHARNG at age 17. She was a focused and dedicated soldier who was admired and respected by her fellow guardsmen.
Family always came first for Pamela. She was as supportive of her sisters and brother as she was driven in her personal goals. She loved cooking for her parents, and as the second oldest sibling she could always be counted on for a friendly ear and good advice. Her youngest sister Anaelle called her “Paya,” which fast became her family nickname. Pamela was also an acolyte at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Concord.
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