Sunday, September 10, 2006

Rosemary A. Smith


September 11, 2001. We all remember where we were and what we were doing when we found out what happened on that horrific day. I was home with my two children and had somehow managed to sleep in. I rarely turned on the TV in the mornings, but for some reason I decided to do so that day. I remember flipping through the channels and wondering what in the world had happened. I called my mother who was also in shock. I got the kids ready, picked up my mother and we headed to a church to pray.

I did not personally know anyone who worked in the World Trade Center or Pentagon, but it certainly did not stop my concern, thoughts, and prayers for all of the people who were and still are personally effected.

Now, however, I will never hear about 9/11 without thinking of 61 year old Rosemary A. Smith. Ms. Smith lived with her daughter, also named Rosemary, and son-in-law Kevin. She had two granddaughters, Kyley and Kamy. She was also loved by her brother Charles, sister Georgeanne, and sister-in-law Marianne. Along with those were cousins, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and a host of other acquaintances.

Rosemary worked in Tower One for Sidley Austin Brown and Wood, LLP as a switchboard operator for 12 years. She had been in the tower during the 1993 bombing and had gotten out despite leg and breathing problems. When many refused to go back, Rosemary still returned to work. She was on the 57th floor of Tower One on September 11th, and was the only fatality her firm had.

Rosemary Smith was known for two things: a wonderful smile and her homemade chocolate treats. She even dreamed of one day having her own candy making business. Her chocolates were often requested for holidays and special occasions, and from everything I read, she would have been a huge success. When not making her popular candies, she enjoyed bowling, crafts, and reading, and she adored spending time with her grandchildren. She always looked for the good in others and everyone said she had a heart of gold.

Though I may not have known Rosemary A. Smith personally, I feel very privileged to have been chosen to write about her. I will never forget Rosemary, and her name and the way she touched everyone who knew her will stay with me. Each anniversary of September 11th, Rosemary A Smith will be who my mind turns to immediately. She will never be forgotten.
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Quilt square is from the "United in Memory" quilt.
Sources of info:
Legacy.com
SILive.com

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I am honored to one of over 3,000 bloggers paying tribute to one of 9/11 victims. To see the list of links to other tributes, please click HERE.
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8 comments:

Raggedy said...

Wonderful Tribute!
Thank you.
These are heartbreaking stories and difficult to read....
I am honored to be a part of this project.
Mine is posted also...

The 2996 link is down. I have a new link on my site to view the participants.

Bless you...

Amydeanne said...

Good tribute Mel!
And I hope Cas's appointment goes okay! My cousin whom I am very close to is autistic, so I can understand a fraction of what you're saying. Anyhow, praying for your children. They are precious, no matter what and they are so lucky they have a wonderful mom who loves them so much!

Nellie said...

Great tribute Mel!!

Kache said...

Very nice tribute, thanks for sharing a bit of her life with us.

Faina's tribute

Anonymous said...

Wonderful tribute, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tribute. You brought her to memory to life, even though you never met her, well done! Thank you for visiting my tribute too,

Anonymous said...

A wonderful tribute. What a lovely lady she must have been, how very sad.
I have just put on my link to the tribute I did to Abner Morales. I think we are all so deeply touched in writing about these victims, people we never knew.

Lisa Polk said...

I work in the Chicago office of the firm that Rosemary worked for. Many of us thought of Rosemary on the 10th anniversary of that horrific day. She is dearly missed and thought of quite often. Thanks for the wonderful tribute to her.