In Memory of Virgin Lucy Francis

Virgin (Lucy) Francis was 62 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. (Born: Dominica). Lucy worked at Windows on the World on the 107th floor in the North Tower at the World Trade Centre.

As a seasoned housekeeper, Lucy took immense pride in polishing the brass and vacuuming the much-trod carpets of Windows on the World. She always insisted that her rooms be as perfect as the view. And although she was scheduled to come to work at 9am on September 11, 2001, she went in early as usual. In fact she should not have gone in at all, she had insisted on working the week before despite a bout of the flu, and the previous Thursday her boss had demanded she go home, telling her, "Don't come back until you're ready."

But, Lucy liked to be out there working, she never liked to sit around at home. And so, on the morning of the terrorist attacks, she took the A train from Fulton Street as she always did, and arrived well before the first plane struck the building.

Her son recalled how hard she had worked all her life, after coming to the US in 1986 from Barbados. Her family still cannot quite believe she is gone.

In Memory of Amy Hope Lamonsoff

Amy Hope Lamonsoff was 29 years old and from Brooklyn, NY. Amy worked for Risk Waters Group.

On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Amy was an events manager for Risk Waters Group and helping to set the tables for a breakfast conference at the Windows On The World Restaurant on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Amy was dedicated to her job and was a great perfectionist. Everything had to be done right or not at all. She was always positive, had a kind word to say to everyone and was the type of person you knew you could always rely on in a crisis. Amy was also deeply considerate of others in her personal and professional life - a $300 tax refund she received was promptly contributed to charities.

Amy's sister recalled: "She loved the Beatles and was devastated when John Lennon was shot, although she was only 8 at the time."

On September 16, 2001, Amy's friends gathered at Strawberry Fields in New York City's Central Park to remember Amy.

In Memory of Sadie Ette

Sadie Ette was 36 years old and from New York, NY. Sadie worked as an account representative for Windows on the World on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

"I remember very vividly when my cousin Sadie called franticly at 8:56 am on that horrific day, she didn't know what happened and by the time I could tell her it was a plane, the phone had died. I remember how she stood by my side when I was in the hospital when Joshua was to be born prematurely and how she wanted to fight for me. I know she's in heaven with Joshua and taking good care of him. Rest in Peace Sadie." Ini (Sadie's friend).

In Sadie's Manhattan apartment, a Bible was found on her pillow, which she had apparently read before work on the morning of September 11, 2001. It was open to the 91st Psalm: "With His wings He will cover you and beneath His wings you will find refuge; His truth is a shield, a full shield.You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day."

In Memory of Howard Lee Kane

Howard Lee Kane was 40 years old and from Hazlet, New Jersey. (Born: Englewood, New Jersey).

Howard was the comptroller at Windows on the World on the 107th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Having struggled with Crohn's disease for most of his life, Howard had little patience for anyone in a bad mood. His tonic was laughter, and whether it was a new joke he would e-mail to friends or a funny story about that day at the office, he had the gift to make people smile.

His wife, Lori, said he loved his job because it combined his passion for cooking with a view he called "halfway to heaven."

In Memory of Paul Ortiz, Jr.

Paul Ortiz, Jr. was 21 years old and from New York, NY.

On September 11, 2001, Paul had been on the top floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, setting up monitors and computers for a convention at the Windows on the World restaurant.

Moments after American Airlines Flight 11 hit the tower, Paul called his father to say he was fine.

Paul Ortiz, Sr. remembers the conversation. "He asked, 'Dad, did you hear what happened? A plane hit the World Trade Center'. And I said, 'how do you know?' "Because I'm here,' he said." Ortiz Sr. said his son told him not to worry, that firefighters were on their way. That was the last time they spoke. "I was sure he had managed to get out. We waited, waited and waited, and we never saw him again. I now understand that he never had a chance," he said.

Paul's body was never identified.

Paul was devoted to his wife, Star, and their infant daughter, Rebecca.

"Hi. As you may know, I was once married to this wonderful man. He sure was a gift from god. I can't explain to everyone of you how much this man meant to me. He is my world and my love. Even though i've moved on, he still remains in my heart. It's like that saying, "You never know what you have till you've lost it." Star (Paul's wife)

In Memory of Charles J. Mauro

Charles J. Mauro was 38 years old and from Staten Island, New York. (Born: Brooklyn, New York).

Charles was the restaurant purchasing director for Windows on the World on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, everyone present in the restaurant when American Airlines Flight 11 penetrated the North Tower survived the plane's impact but perished either because of smoke inhalation during the ensuing conflagration, jumping or falling to their deaths, or the eventual collapse of the tower 102 minutes later, as all passages to below the impact zone were blocked.

"Charlie Mauro, my husband, my life was the most loving, giving and caring person you'd ever have the pleasure to meet. He filled my life with hope and happiness. His death leaves a deep scar in my heart that can never be replaced. He was my best friend, and life will never be the same without him. He touched a thousand lives, and we are all the better for it. God bless him wherever he may be. I hope he can rest in peace. I miss you, Pumpkinhead. All my love to you forever". (Charles's wife Barbara).

In Memory of Jonathan Eric Briley

Jonathan Eric Briley 43 years old and from Mount Vernon, N.Y. Jonathan worked as an audio media specialist at Windows on the World on the 110th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.


Westchester County 9/11 Memorial in Valhalla, N.Y.

In Memory of Christine Anne Olender

Christine Anne Olender was 39 years old and from New York, N.Y. Christine worked at Windows On The World, where she was the restaurant's assistant general manager.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Christine was hosting the Risk Waters Group for breakfast. At 8:46 am. American Flight 11 impacted the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Christine took immediate control of her area of responsibility after the plane hit. She organized all the breakfast guests and employees on the 106th floor, and made several calls to the Port Authority.

In Memory of Christopher Hanley

Christopher Hanley was 34 years old and from New York, NY.

On the the morning of September 11, 2001, Christopher was attending a breakfast conference sponsored by Risk Waters Group at Windows on the World on the 106th floor of the North Tower at the World Trade Center. Only minutes after American Airlines Flight 11 hit between the 93rd and 97th floors, Christopher managed to dial 9-1-1 to report the explosion.

The video above is the actual 9-1-1 call that Christopher made on 9/11. The first photograph shows a picture of Christopher Hanley, the second photograph shown in the video was actually taken at Windows On The World that morning and shows Christopher Hanley (on the left) talking to another conference guest William "Bill" Kelly Jr. The photographer who took the picture left the building just before the plane struck the tower. Both Christopher Hanley and Bill Kelly did not survive.

Remembering Windows on the World

Windows on the World was a complex of venues at the top floors (106th and 107th) of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan that included a restaurant, Windows on the World, a smaller restaurant called Wild Blue, and a bar called The Greatest Bar on Earth, as well as rooms for private functions.

Windows on the World was destroyed when the North Tower collapsed during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. At the time of the attack on the World Trade Center, the restaurant was hosting regular breakfast patrons and the Risk Waters Financial Technology Congress. Everyone present in the restaurant when American Airlines Flight 11 penetrated the North Tower survived the plane's impact but perished because of smoke inhalation during the ensuing conflagration, jumping or falling to their deaths, or the eventual collapse of the tower 102 minutes later, as all passages to below the impact zone were blocked.

At the time of the attacks, present in the restaurant were 72 restaurant staff members (including acting manager Christine Olender, whose desperate calls to Port Authority police represented the restaurant's final communications), 16 Risk Waters employees, and 76 other guests/contractors. The last people to leave the restaurant before Flight 11 collided with the North Tower at 8:46 AM were Michael Nestor, Liz Thompson, and Geoffrey Wharton, who departed at 8:44 AM.

In Memory of Karlie Barbara Rogers

Karlie Barbara Rogers was 26 years old and from London, England. Karlie worked for Risk Waters Group.

On September 11, 2001, Karlie was attending the Waters Financial Technology Congress at Windows on the World, on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Karlie was one of 67 British victims of 9/11.



The picture above is the 9/11 memorial to the British people who died in New York's World Trade Centre terror attack. The names of the British victims are inscribed on the wall here. The quotation is from the American poet Henry Van Dyke. Part of a steel girder from the World Trade Center is buried underneath this.
(Grosvenor Square Garden, London).


Incisive Media remembers those who were killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001

"On the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we remember our friends and colleagues from what at the time was Risk Waters Group, who were attending the Waters Financial Technology Congress at Windows on the World, on the 106th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center.

Those killed were Sarah Ali Escarcega, Oliver Bennett, Paul Bristow, Neil Cudmore, Melanie de Vere, Michele du Berry, Elisa Ferraina, Amy Lamonsoff, Sarah Prothero, David Rivers, Laura Rockefeller, Karlie Rogers, Simon Turner, Celeste Victoria, Joanna Vidal and Dinah Webster.

We also remember the 65 delegates, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors attending the Waters Congress who also lost their lives."

A tribute to Karlie from her colleagues at Risk Waters said: "From the day Karlie was interviewed we knew she would be a shining star. She was bright and intelligent with a wonderfully optimistic outlook on life. Everything she set out to do she achieved. We will always remember Karlie's warmth, her bubbly personality and her infectious laugh."