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Georgetown University Wellesley College

FUNERAL HOME

Porter Loring Mortuary North

2102 N. Loop 1604 E.

San Antonio, Texas

Paula Loyd Obituary

LOYD
Paula Loyd was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and lived in Alamo Heights. She attended Cambridge Elementary, where her father attended elementary school, junior high, and started high school in Alamo Heights before moving to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. She attended Antilles High School for two years and graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. Paula holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology and Spanish from Wellesley College. She received a Master of Science in Foreign Service degree in Foreign Policy and International Security from Georgetown University, as well as a Certificate in Refugee and Humanitarian Studies. Following college, she served a four year term in the US Army and a four year term in the US Army Reserve Program. While serving in the Reserve Program she became involved with humanitarian work programs in Afghanistan, and for several years after with the United States Agency for International Development, the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations. Paula served as a Field Program Officer for USAID in Zabul Province, where she worked closely with the United Nations, U.S. military, local Government officials and tribal elders on a number of humanitarian and development projects. Paula passed away in the Brook Army Medical Center. Her death occurred as result of the injuries sustained while serving humanitarian causes in Afghanistan. She is survived by her parents, Patricia L. Ward and husband, Terence, Paul B. Loyd Sr. and wife, Annabelle; fiancé, Frank Muggeo; brothers, Paul B. Loyd Jr., and wife, Penny, William M. Loyd and wife, Stephanie; sisters, Kathryn Machuga and husband, Bill, Polly Lines and husband, Marcus; uncle, John F. Loyd; nieces, Christie A. Loyd and Perry A. Lines; nephews, Kelly W. Loyd and wife, Shawnna, Casey A. Loyd, William M. Loyd, Patrick G. Loyd, and Harrison W. Lines. CELEBRATION OF LIFE SATURDAY
JANUARY 10, 2009
2:00 P.M.
PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in the name of Paula Loyd to the Moonlight Fund, 405 Johns Road, Boerne, Texas 78006, www.moonlightfund.org.
You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com
Arrangements with:

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Jan. 9, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Paula Loyd

23 Entries

Kim

January 4, 2025

You live on. They say you live in people s memories. And you my friend left a mark. I loved you and i do miss you. Sleep well sweet lady. You were increíble.

Kim Harmon

September 7, 2009

Paula's family--
I knew Paula in Kansas and then deployed with her to Kuwait. I am so thankful for the chance to get to know her. She was sweet to everyone, even when no one else was and constantly had something nice to say. She brought out the best in all the people she was around. She was also an amazing eater for being so tiny.

It was an adventure to go to any meal with Paula, just to watch her order 10 different things and taste all of them. She embraced life and did everything full force. She did not seem to have a mediocre speed anywhere. She gave everything her all.

Even in Kuwait, we're about to go to Iraq or Afghanistan and she was finishing a paper. She was up all night typing trying to complete it before she had to leave for Afghanistan. Her commitment was unshakable.

Then I was able to go into Kuwait City with her to spend a few days and pamper ourselves. I slept in, but Paula woke up every morning to swim laps in the ocean. Her drive and passion for life continues to inspire me on a regular basis.

I am truly sorry for your loss and know that her passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Paula truly did leave a mark on every life she touched and made the world a better place through her kindness.

My heart goes out to you.

Divya Muralidhara

July 19, 2009

Dear Paula's family,

I was a peer of Paula's at Wellesley. We were both Anthropology majors; it was a small, close-knit department and so we got to know each other well. Paula taught me to use chopsticks (!)on a department trip to Los Angeles, as well as the importance of living with an open heart. She had an inimitable spark and was never afraid to question and wonder. I learned from her and think of her often. I send you my condolences, now and always. The world misses this extraordinary person who loved life and moved us all with her curiosity, commitment and courage.

S Curry

May 8, 2009

Clearly a beautiful Person inside and out.
The world is a better place because she lived. RIP

In front of Mem Hall, if memory serves correctly

Constantin

February 8, 2009

As a relatively new parent I can only begin to imagine the pain that her parents, siblings, family, and fiancé must be going through. I hope that all of you can find peace despite her bright light no longer shining among us.

I can't miss her as much as you or Dusty or anyone else who benefited from spending much time with her in any capacity. I simply was a student at the same high school as Paula and Dusty and ran across the two from time to time. However, even these brief encounters convinced me that she was a independent and intelligent gal with a great sense of style and humor. Is it any wonder that she and Dusty laughed a lot?

If there is an interest, I'd like to send the family a picture or two of Paula at school. If that's the case, please contact me via e-mail as I haven't figured out a way yet to get in touch with the family. I'll attempt to post a badly-transferred snapshot of Dusty and Paula next... please forgive the bad quality, the original looks better even if my printing technique back then was ham-fisted at best!

James Irish

January 30, 2009

Paula was an exceptional. person. She relieved me at the Qalat (Zabul), Afghanistan Provincial Rehabilitation Team in 2004. I was fortunate to have known and worked with Paula from 2004 to 2007. She gave real meaning to the phrase "served with". Paula served with the Army; Paula served with IOM; Paula served with USAID; Paula served with the UN; Paula served with the HTT. An incredible life of service cut short too soon. We are all reduced by her passing. She was an exceptional and remarkable young woman.

Matt

January 25, 2009

My profound condolences to her family and friends. I had the privilege of working on the same team with Paula in Afghanistan in 2002-2003 and I remember her most for her compassion and dedication to making a difference in those people's lives. She made a difference in our lives as well. Her family is in my prayers.

Ronnie Bradford

January 25, 2009

Paula, you worked so hard to help others less fortunate and in hardship, particularly in Afghanistan. You are fondly remembered by many friends and colleagues across the world.

Mary Mainz

January 21, 2009

You are in heaven with the angels and saints where there is joy and celebration as you live with God. I pray for you and for all your family and friends here on this earth. We will miss you but know that your spirit is alive and in all hearts. Peace, love and joy as you are home with God.

Andrew Douglas

January 19, 2009

The thoughts and prayers of my family are with Paula's. I worked with Paula in Qalat in Afghanistan in the winter 2005. She will be missed

Mike Brasel

January 13, 2009

Paul, I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. The little that I know about her life , her service to our country, and her work with the disadvantaged of Afghanistan is nothing short of inspirational. She will be dearly missed. Please let me know if there is anything we can do for you and Penny during this time.

Brian K

January 12, 2009

To the family of Paula,

I would like to offer my condolences regarding the loss of such a unique and special person

I remember Paula from when she was working in Kandahar and then in Kabul. What a kind and perceptive person. She also was a consumate professional who accomplished so much in support of her country and the organizations she worked with.

She was happiest when in the field meeting locals and figuring out ways to help them. Her perspective and knowledge helped many people create better environments for themselves and their children

It was a pleasure to know her and to work with her.

Sherry Roberts

January 11, 2009

Uncle Paul and Aunt Annabelle, I am so sorry for the loss of Paula. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Sherry Vance Roberts

Matthijs Toot

January 10, 2009

Hereby I would like to convey my condolences to the parents and all family and friends of Paula. I feel especially close to Paula as my work over the past years has been very similar to hers. Our co-operation was particularly close when she was stationed in Zabul province and I worked as a development advisor in the US PRT in Kandahar. I am talking about the early months of 2005. At that time she was truly instrumental in ensuring that military, civilians and tribal elders could join hands to avoid a tribal conflict in Shamulzai district from going out of hand. As a result no one fought, women nor children were killed... Since nothing bad happened, no security incidents were ever reported. This, I am sure, has been so true for a lot of her other work. The results of such excellent work often do not surface in public but they have been there all a long, saving lives and contributing to giving the Afghans and Afghanistan a chance.

While once visiting the house of the local commander of the Kandahar PRT police he proudly showed me a picture and told me about those special Americans who were sent to help Afghans out. Paula was there, amidst these Afghan PRT police, smiling and looking straight into the camera. I am sure that those who know her can picture her right there. In pushtu the commander told me "Dagha sheza der shah woo", this was a very good woman.

I am truly saddened and I was looking very much forward to meet Paula again in Kandahar or elsewhere in Afghanistan this year. As for now, I wish you may all receive the strength to overcome this tragic loss.

Dusty Jermier

January 10, 2009

Paula was a high school friend who wanted to watch the news AND was fun to be around.

Memories I have of Paula:
-watching McNeal/Lehrer News Hour
-climbing a tree
-riding double on a bicycle
-listening to "Baby, it's Cold Outside"

James Martinez

January 10, 2009

My family and I are so sadden of your loss. Paula will always be remembered.
We send our deepest sympathies.
God Bless you and all.

James Martinez

Ann Moles

January 10, 2009

Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Lee Knight

January 10, 2009

Paula worked with me in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. She served as a representative for USAID to Zabul Province. The Provincial Governor, Jan Arman, oftentimes called her "the bravest woman in Afghanistan", and she was. Paula would go on missions daily, leaving our PRT firebase where she lived, going throughout Zabul Province to assess the needs of the Afghan people and to seek to meet those needs.

Aside from approving, coordinating and supervising construction projects as an officer with USAID, Paula is directly responsible for protecting the lives of several Korean women on a Christian mission trip who visited Zabul Province in 2004. When we heard from the locals that some 'strange women' were without male escort in the bazaar in Zabul's capital city of Qalat, Paula took an interpreter and a small security detail to investigate. Paula retrieved the missionary women before harm could come to them and brought them to spend the night with us in our compound. That evening, Paula and I enjoyed a Bible study with the ladies. The next morning, Paula took another security force and escorted the Korean missionaries to an Alexandrian castle overlooking Qalat. Afterward, due to Paula's coordination, the provincial police commander escorted the women to Kabul, where they safely met up with other members of their party. The missionaries probably never knew the danger they were in, but Paula did and ensured they were protected and safe. Paula was their guardian angel.

Paula was the best USAID rep I worked with in Afghanistan. She loved Afghanistan and the Afghan people. When I left to return to the US, she stayed. When I returned to Afghanistan some months later, she was still there, this time as a UN employee working with the military. Once again, she was one of the most effective and energetic people there. Nothing was impossible to her.

I will always remember Paula's smile, her love of her family, her drive to improve the lot of Afghans, especially Afghan women, and her desire to really make a difference. She is a hero to me and I am proud to have known her, worked with her, and to have called her my friend.

COL Lee Knight
PRT Commander
Zabul Province 2003 - 2004

Celia Jones

January 9, 2009

Paula, what a remarkable life. Your legacy will be honored.C

Kristen Davis

January 9, 2009

To Paula's dear family, thank you for the gift of your daughter's presence in the lives of all the people she's touched. Her loss is immeasurable in the many gifts she gave to friends, co-workers and the people she served throughout the world. She changed this world, she made it a better place, and she made the people around her better for having known her. Her impact will be forever felt. In knowing all of you, and the love and closeness you've had as a family through this struggle, I've come to know Paula as well and from where she derived her strength, humility, devotion, and humor. She was a reflection of every good thing you gave her in life, and that gift was profoundly paid forward. Please know how sorry I am to hear of Paula's loss. Love and my deepest sympathies.

Paul Jacobs

January 9, 2009

We have great admiration for Paula and her life's work. She achieved much as a young woman and her passion to help those less fortunate was and will continue to be an inspiration to our family and many others. I am proud to have been her cousin; she was truly a blessing.

Sylvia Bryan

January 9, 2009

Our sympathies to the family. Our prayers are with you here at USAA.

anja de beer

January 9, 2009

I know Paula from her work with UNAMA in Afghanistan. She was instrumental in facilitating the dialoge beween humanitarian and military actors on the ground.
We shared a greatand deep committment to Afghanistan and its people
But we really bonded over our mutual love for animals and her crazy idea to transport 3 pups and an big dog back home with her.
She mnaged and I know she found good homes for all of them.
we were quire sure we would meet p again in Afghanistan since I cannot manage to leave and she would not be able to stay away. so I was not suprised but very pleased when she send me an e-mail telling me she was back and would get in touch if and when she visited Kabul.
Unfortunately I didn't meet her again and the next I heard was news about the horrible thing that happened to hear.
I had so hoped she would be able to beat this. Now she she is gone but the memory of Paula being loving, caring ,optimistic and always smiling will stay forever.

I hope her family and all who loved her will find strength in the memory of her life.

Anja

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