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Diplomat From Chicago Area Killed In Afghanistan

(CBS) --A near west suburban family is dealing with the nightmare of losing their daughter, after a suicide bomber took six lives in Afghanistan.

In a brief interview with CBS news, Thomas Smedinghoff of River Forest expresses over and over just how proud his daughter made him.

"She was a remarkable woman that we have been so proud of her she has done so much in the short time she was here. She was doing what she loved," said Thomas Smedinghoff. "She was doing a lot of work with education, she was working with women's groups for equality for women. She was doing such a magnificent job."

With a degree in international relations, Anne Smedinghoff got a job with the foreign service right after college, and traveled, knowing the risk.

Diplomat From Chicago Area Killed In Afghanistan

"We always knew in the back of our minds that this was a possibility. She went everywhere. She usually told us about it afterward, but she never expressed any fear at all," said Thomas Smedinghoff

Smedinghoff is a 2005 graduate of Fenwick High School and had strong ties to the Oak Park and River Forest communities. There were so many knew her job was dangerous but they were proud of what she was doing.

Flags and white ribbons lined the street her family's river forest home.

"My heart goes for the family for this kid," said Anabal Pepper.

"She lived a life of service for this country and her passing is an absolute tragedy," said Joe Spillane.

At St. Lukes Parish in River Forest pain was felt and prayers were said by her Pastor Kenneth Fischer who talked to her weeping mother yesterday.

"As the word is spreading to members of the community there is just a shared tremendous sense of grief and sorrow," said Fisher.

Secretary of State John Kerry blasted the terrorist behind the strike and praised Smedinghoff's values, she was helping to deliver books to a school before the blast.

"Anne and those with her were attacked by taliban terrorists who woke up that day not with a mission to educate or to help but with a missions to destroy," said Kerry.

Pastor Fischer described Anne Smedinghoff as a vivacious and generous woman who devoted her life to help others. Secretary of State John Kerry had just met with her two weeks ago remarking how smart she was and called her an important member of his control team during his visit.

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