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Kimberly Cates' Family 'Makes Something Positive' On 5th Anniversary Of Murder

AMHERST, N.H. (CBS) - David Cates and his daughter Jaimie embrace each other in love and comfort.

"It's going okay. It's always a struggle but we are getting through it," he told WBZ-TV Friday.

Saturday will be the fifth anniversary of Kimberly Cates horrific death in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire.

Kimberly Cates
Kimberly Cates. (Family Photo)

On October 4, 2009, David's wife and Jaimie's mother was murdered during a home invasion perpetrated by four local men.

David was not home at the time.  Jaimie was, but she barely survived the gruesome attack by playing dead.

She says the healing process has been long and slow.

"It's been tough but I fought through it. I personally didn't like counseling, that just wasn't me. I just liked having people who care about me personally help me talk through it and venting to people," Jaimie said.

Instead of reliving the pain the Cates family has decided to take back the day in honor of her memory.

"It's making something positive out of such a negative event," David said.

More than 100 golfers took part in the Kimberly Cates Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament Friday at the Amherst Country Club.

All of the money raised helps provide scholarships to kids interested in the field of medicine. Kimberly, 42, was a nurse.

Jaimie and David Cates
Jaimie Cates and her father David, Oct. 3, 2014. (Photo by Paul Burton - WBZ-TV)

Jaimie is now 16 years old and a junior in high school.

She says even though her mom is gone, she's still teaching her lessons.

"I feel like no matter how rough life gets, you will always have people there and get through it," she said.

If you'd like to learn more about the fund or donate, visit their website, kimcatesfund.org.

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