Qiu was a Most “Active Member” of Leadership Council

Cathy Qiu is being remembered not only as a high-performing student and tennis enthusiast, but also as an active community member.

Qiu was part of the Albany Police Activities League, a nonprofit group that teams Albany police officers, community volunteers and youth in amateur athletics, education and recreation.

The league recently posted a statement on its website about Qiu, who was identified Thursday as the body found washed up on a San Mateo County shore the weekend prior.

“As one of the most active members of our Youth Leadership Council at Albany High School, Cathy was always one of the first to step up when a volunteer opportunity came up,” the league said.

Full statement from the league:

The Albany Police Activities League is grieving the loss of Cathy Qiu.

As one of the most active members of our Youth Leadership Council at Albany High School, Cathy was always one of the first to step up when a volunteer opportunity came up. It didn’t matter if it was in the evening, on the weekend, or during the summer— she’d gladly step in to do whatever needed doing – usually working behind the scenes to make it a success.

Cathy embodied the spirit of APAL and the character of our Youth Leadership Council. She worked tirelessly, and always with a big smile, while she helped us stuff hundreds of goody bags to give away each year at National Night Out, when she volunteered her entire weekend to help set-up and staff various activities at our annual Safety Palooza events, helped City staff in their booth at the Solano Stroll, and when she volunteered to help organize the YLC’s holiday food drive at Albany High School last year. These are only a few examples of where her positive energy, her giving spirit and her lovable self shined through.

Cathy has left us unexpectedly and we are still in the midst of processing what has happened, but we want her family and friends to know that she will always remain in our memories as an incredibly special young woman full of enthusiasm and generosity in service to the Albany community.