The daughter of Philip Pax-Jones and Jean Johnson was born in 1960. As a schoolgirl at Te Kura Primary School she learned about New Zealand's ANZAC tradition and did a project about her father and great uncles. From that moment she wanted to become a soldier. She believed that soldiers, especially those serving in the blue berets of the United Nations played an important role in getting war-torn nations back on their feet - from restoring water supplies, feeding communities and putting service ahead of self.
Her dream came true when she was accepted for army training in 1980. Katie was able to complete her history degree while in the army. Her MA thesis was on the role of Kiwis as peacekeepers. She showed how Kiwis world-wide were respected for their ability to work alongside different communities. Their friendliness, helpfulness and practical common sense were aspects of their culture that made them ideal peacekeepers.
Katie retired in 2010 after 30 years service in the army and reaching the rank of captain. She served in East Timor, the West Bank, keeping communities apart but also helping bring them together. Katie was a strong believer that education was the key to peace and her final assignment was helping build schools in war-torn Afghanistan.