Early Life and Education

Amsaleye (Amy) Berhanu was born on September 18, 1965 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was the third child and second daughter of Berhanu Kidanu and Emebet Tesfazgui. She was brought up in the Ethiopian orthodox faith, and was a member of the Youth Choir at the St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church in Addis Ababa.  Her early education was in Ethiopia, where she attended the Cathedral Primary School, and Nazareth High School and obtained her high school diploma in 1983.  During both her primary and secondary education, Amy excelled in all her subjects, and graduated with top honors.  Her quest for knowledge and her inquisitive mind led her to travel to other parts of the world.  First, she moved to Mbabane, Swaziland, where she taught French in a primary school. Then in 1985, at the tender age of 20, she moved to the United States to join her elder sister Kidist Berhanu. She settled in San Diego, California, where she began her pursuit of higher education and professional career.  She attended the National University of San Diego, California, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with emphasis in computers and business in 1991. This was also the period when Amy continued to build her strong character and work ethic. She supported herself through school by working full time and would not rely on or burden any one with her school expenses.  She also obtained a Master of Science degree in Communications from North Western University in 2005, while being fully engaged in her professional responsibilities. She was indeed a very driven, focused and results oriented individual. 

Professional Career

After her undergraduate studies, she began an illustrious 16 year professional career with General Electric (GE) and Xerox Capital Services (XCS). At her work, Amy was rewarded for her hard work and dedication with significant success as she moved from Copy Room Manager to First Line Leader, and also took a role as a Black Belt. She served these organizations in various capacities and worked at various locations including San Diego, California; Chicago, Illinois; and Seattle, Washington. She was the recipient of the 2006 XCS African American Forum Role Model Award for her strong performance record as embodied in her growth and her embrace of diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace. While receiving this honor Amy attributed her success to her completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees; her ability to listen to mentors and peers; and her stepping out of her comfort zone.  

Family Life

Amsale was very passionate about family. She loved and looked forward to family gatherings and would make every effort to be present at such occasions.  She was there to support all her siblings in good and bad times: during weddings, child births, and during ill health and in trying times.  She was the confidant and advisor of all her siblings. Amy loved her parents dearly and has been a pillar of strength to them, especially in their senior years. In her own words, Amy considers her father as her role model “for instilling good values, confidence, and encouraging me always to pursue higher education – showing me learning is always an on going process”.  Her parents, in turn, have tremendous respect and love for her.  Amy was also very fond of her nieces and nephews and was always there for them during birthdays and other memorable occasions. She helped raise her niece Yodit Mulugeta, with whom she developed a special bond and friendship. Her death has dealt all of them a great blow.

In Seattle, Amsaleye found a wonderful friend Eric Mollet with whom she started a warm and loving relationship. Eric did the proper thing and asked Embeye and Gasheye for their blessings on Januray 24th. They loved and adored one another and were engaged on January 31st, 2009 and planned to be married on January 09, 2010 in Addis Ababa. Unfortunately, this was not to be.  However, we take comfort in the fact that Amy has gone to a better place in God’s hands and Eric is left with the sweet memories of the short but happy and vibrant time they had together.  

Hobbies and Social Life

A gentle and sweet human being, Amy had a unique ability to make friends and to get along with people. She had made a lot of friends in all of the places she had passed through.  She kept in touch with most of her friends, performed activities with them and was always there for them in good and bad times.  Amy had a passion for travelling and visiting new places. She was an avid reader – a hobby that was very much encouraged by her parents, as she was usually exempted from doing house chores to make time for her reading. Little wonder she grew to love the game of scrabble. Amy loves to take care of other people. She was supporting two less fortunate children in Ethiopia prior to her passing. Amy loves running, taking walks by the lakeside, and choosing different types of cuisines and dining out with friends, co-workers and family members.