Memorial Day is a day when we pause to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice American soldiers have made to protect our liberties. But it's also a day to mourn and to celebrate all who have passed, particularly those who died senselessly and far too young. New Zealand native and Taunton resident Courtney Sau was one of those souls; now her family looks to begin the healing with a local memorial in her honor.
On February 5, 2005, 19-year-old Courtney Sau was murdered in Fall River. Two female suspects remain held without bail, awaiting trial. In the wake of the senseless death, glimpses of her short life can be seen through the eyes of her friends and family.
Courtney was one who made friends easily. Her family did not know how many peoples lives she had touched until the days ofter her death. "We had hundreds of people coming to our house in the days after Courtney passed," described Karen Sau, Courtney's mother. "And, even more touching was when the wake was held. Over 900 people came." Those people included friends and family, Taunton High School teachers and administrators. Some even made the trip from Sau's homeland of New Zealand to pay their respects to a woman whose life was lost too soon.
Courtney and her family moved to Massachusetts four and a half years ago after having spent two years in Scotland and the rest of her childhood in New Zealand. "When we moved here, she used to come home from school and tell me, 'Mom, these people just want to hear me talk!' because everyone loved her accent," Karen Sau reminisced about her daughter. "She used to say she was never going to get rid of her kiwi [New Zealand] accent."
Beyond Courtney's distinct accent, there were many other distinquishing factors that made the slain teenager unique. For one, she was a vegetarian, and known at McDonald's for odering a big-n-tasty with no meat. "She used to remark that she would never eat anything with a face," Karen Sau remembered.
One quality that separated Courtney from her peers was her beauty and bubbly personality. "A lot of people thought she was unapproachable because of her beauty," Karen explained with great sadness, going on to describe "She was humble, easy-going and real. There was nothing fake about her." While others saw her as the epitome of beauty, she would always be inquiring, "Do I look alright?"
When describing her late daughter, Karen does not simply recall her as a beautiful young woman. She saw her as "a precious jewel; she was like a diamond in the rough. Beautiful, down to earth, humble and so talented - good at everything she turned her hand to."
Karen pointed to one occasion where modeling scouts were asking her daughter to audition for a commercial. Courtney "just blew it off and said 'I can't be bothered.' She didn't see herself the way others saw her." Courtney had been modeling in New Zealand since she was four. But as she got older, she grew less interested. At the time of her death she was attending Bridgewater State College and majoring in Criminal Justice."
"She really did not want a 9 to 5 job, sitting behind a desk," her mother explained. "She wanted to be her own boss and be able to drive around - something like a lawyer or police officer." Mrs. Sau believes that inspiration may have come from her uncle in New Zealand who was a police officer. "There were lots of stories her and her sisters were told as kids growing up," she said.
Like many teenagers, Courtney loved to shop, drive her car and visit the beach. She also had a knack for art and loved animals, including a goat and a horse she owned in New Zealand. "I always thought that there was something different about her." According to her mother, Courtney "was terrific at saving money and even had enough to buy her first car all by herself. She was always saving for her BMW," said Sau.
Courtney was buried in her native New Zealand, leaving many local friends without a place to grieve. The Sau family has set up a memorial in Mayflower Cemetary in Taunton honoring their slain daughter, and sister. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 4th, at 1:00 p.m. "All of her friends are very grateful for the memorial so that they finally have somewhere to go."
Courtney Sau leaves behind three sisters: Caitlin, 12 and Ashleigh, 17, and older sister Jody who lives in New Zealand along with her parents and other family members. She also has a nephew, Tyson, whom she never had an opportunity to meet. "Courtney had a vitality for life. She was always planning ahead and didn't like to be idle," her mother remembered. "She was in and out and very active, busy. Now it feels like the life and soul has gone out of our house. We miss her so much, nothing is the same anymore, it will never be the same without her," said Karen Sau, remembering the joy that Courtney had brought to their family.
