Loving, beautiful, happy, proud, strong, intelligent and classy. Just a handful of words that describe a 36-year-old woman whose life was taken on September 11, 2001.
Daphne Ferlinda Elder was all of the above and more. She was also a daughter, a mother, a friend and a coworker. She was very close to her family, having lunch with her siblings on Saturdays and calling her father every day just to make sure he was taking care of himself. Daphne also took great care of her son, Justin and was so very proud of him and her family. She did not hesitate to speak her mind when it was important and stood up for her family and her friends without wavering.
Daphne worked for Marsh & McLennan on the 97th floor of the World Trade Center, where she was known as a kind and helpful co-worker. So many of her friends and coworkers have left messages speaking of the fun and laughs they had with her and how she found so much joy and humor in life. Here are some of those comments:
“…Just before this tragedy happened, Daphne saw my name and e-mailed me just because and what was so funny about this, I decided that I wasn’t going to delete her message. I felt then that she was so sweet to scream at me and ask where I had been and to wish me well, that I felt at that time I will treasure this e-mail, now that she is gone, this three line e-mail means even more. I love you Daphne, I still have a tear for you Daphne, God bless you Daphne.”
June Sanders
“…Another colleague asked me yesterday if I had ever known Daphne Elder, and I said, “Of course! She was tall and beautiful, and was always dressed immaculately.” Then I was told that she was working for Marsh on Sept. 11, and I was beside myself. She was always so patient whenever I came to repair her PC, and she always had a smile for me when passing me in the hallway. I offer my deepest sympathy goes to her family, her loved ones, and anyone who was lucky enough to have been enriched by virtue of having known her.”
Dominique Dowsing
“My sincere condolences go out to the Elder family. I met Daphne at The Robert Treat Academy where both of our children attend. She was a very strong young lady and one who always spoke her mind, I miss seeing her at the Parent meetings and discussing issues with her. I think about her often and it’s hard to believe that this type of tragedy could happen so close to home. The Elder family knows that my prayers are with them constantly.”
God Bless
Tahira,
Robert Treat Academy, Newark, NJ
“…She was a wonderful, sincere person who was always up beat and positive. She always seemed to have rays of sunshine following her, even on bad days. She was always with Cynthia and they made me a “soul sister” I will never forget and keep her in my daily prayers. My deepest sympathy to her family. God bless her soul.”
Lisa Napolitano
So many of these comments included the laughing and joking that would go on in the office lunchroom whenever Daphne was there. She touched so many lives and will be remembered by so many more if only for her smiling face in the pictures left in tribute to her. But the most moving tribute for me, comes from her father…
“Daphne was a loving person,” Mr. Elder said. “She called me every day to find out how I’m doing, what did I eat, did I get some rest. That’s what I really miss.”
(NYT 10/22/01)
I, too, still choke back the tears when reading these stories. It just really gets me that completely innocent people are dead because of some religious zealots. This is something that we as soldiers will never forget. We don’t look at them “almost 3000 killed” on Sep. 11. We look at them as almost 3,000 individual, innocent Americans killed.
Thank for for also participating in this tribute. I did not know anyone who dies on 9/11, but I learned a lot about my assigned person. I posted today so that it will be up all weekend. This is a beautiful and moving piece you have written here.
Thank you CJ. I don’t think I can ever say that enough to you and your brothers and sisters in arms.
For me, it really isn’t just the 2,996 individuals killed on 9/11, but all those who have died by terrorist attacks and all the soldiers who have given their lives to win back our freedom.
I didn’t know anyone who died that fateful day either, but every story I have read has brought them to life for me.
Thank you for your kind words, Brian. Please come back again…
“She always seemed to have rays of sunshine following her, even on bad days.” ~ I think that speaks volumes. Another loss of a beautiful American life. Wonderful tribute, Anna. What a loss.
Thanks for a very moving tribute.
A Tribute To Gary H. Lee: 2,996
So many people, with dreams, hopes, problems, loves and hates, and limitless futures, were cut down without warning, slaughtered without mercy, for no other reason than an unreasoning hatred of a Nation, and a People, who believe in Freedom.
That particular comment has stuck with me, too, benning. That’s why I just had to include it. The other thing about her is the bit of mischief I see in her eyes. She had to be a great source of joy for those who knew her!
I wanted to trackback to your tribute, but you don’t have trackbacks! We have to get you a haloscan account!
I tried installing haloscan, but for some reason it never showed! Nertz!
Thanks for linking, benning.
Hmm, check out Bad Example. Harvey has a ton of info and tricks for blogging and comments and haloscan. Check the top of his right sidebar.
Nice job, Anna.
Thank you, Dave!
Ya know Anna, I as continue to read thru these tribute posts I realize why people do such evil things to other people. I know beyond doubt that their lives are mere shadows compared to people like Daphne whose life touched so many people in such a positive way, and they seek to destroy what they can never have.
Daphne is an example of life and love and all the cool things that Americans have come to represent. Individuals can be taken from us, but the spirit their lives represent will never die. Excellent job on this post. A labor of love I’m sure.
God bless the family of Daphne, and God Bless America!
Gawfer, your comment brought tears to my eyes! You are so right about why they try to kill us. We represent all the good things that they will never be nor have! Thank you!
Well done, Anna. She sounds like a wonderful woman.
Thank you, jgf! I can only imagine the loss her family feels every day.
Anna, Thanks for your moving tribute to Daphne. Her face shines with grace and love, her eyes speak peace. It’s apparent she was a gentle person in this world, and her loss is felt. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Rest in Peace dear Daphne,
Blessings,
Auntie Lyn
Thank you for your kind words and your prayers to her family, Auntie Lyn. May all the families find peace!
I’ve always loved the name Daphne, to the point that if I ever have a little girl, I’d like her name to be “Daphne”.
She definitely has a nice smile and the personality described about her seems to shine through in her expression in those photos.
Thank you Anna, for putting a name and a life to one of the 2,996. God rest her soul.
Thanks Word. It’s amazing how much she came to life for me reading all the comments left by family and friends at the various tribute sites.
It really brings it home. On the first anniversary I watched the entire reading of the names. I kept focusing on one name and googling it. I couldn’t help but be incredibly emotionally moved thinking about the loss of life.
Mine is going up today.
i nw feel so guilty about my blog, for the first time ever i thought i would create as my life is not quite as interesting as it used to be. family etc.
it also brings an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach and a tear to my eye when i think what happened that day. i remember it like it was yesterday.
one day i hope these stupid stupid evil evil people are totally 100% stopped, as i am sure we all do
Stew, Daphne almost seems like a friend now. I learned so much about her though the tributes. I hope her family would be happy with what I wrote.
I will be over to check yours out shortly!
i ment to add to my message that i now feel very selfish feeling sorry for myself, when so many other people are so much more worse off than me
Annie, we all do what we can, just keep at it and live a good life…it’s all anyone can do.
I, too, hope that we can stop these evil people so that they can no longer hurt our friends, family and countrymen.
Don’t worry about it Annie. We all feel that way sometimes.
This is an amazing memorial. You have done a lot to keep the memory of the 2,996 burning brightly! As I said below, if you have an opportunity to come for a look at my tribute I would appreciate it.
Thank you, Anna, for being in the 2996 project.
Most excellent and very moving tribute Anna..
What a wonderful Woman, and deeply missed for certain.
It is so sad…
Your Memorial-Tribute is tremendous ANNA…
Thank you.
A beautiful and worthy tribute, Anna. Thank you for the sensitive remembrance.
In loving memory of a Mother
“Mom’s is what I called you and always were…”
’2,996: A Tribute to the Victims of 9/11′
Anthony, I will be there to check out your tribute very soon. I so appreciate the kind words you have left here and please come back again!
Thank you, Tom, that is so nice of you to say! I am so glad to be a part of this tribute!
Thank you, ABF, I so appreciate it!
Brooklyn Boy, Daphne certainly seemed to have made an impression on all those she met and I’m positive that her loss is felt each and everyday among not only her family, but everyone whose lives she touched.
Thank you for the link, too!
Thank you, Andrea. I hope that I was able to share even just a little bit of who Daphne was and that she would be happy with what I wrote for her!
Beautifully done, Anna!
That last paragraph, about how her father misses Daphne….He must be lost without her. Daphne was such a dedicated daughter.
That’s what I thought, too, AOW. My heart breaks everytime I read it.
tribute to 911 victim stephen russell
The 2,996 Project is a simple but powerful project aimed to create a tribute to each victim of 9/11 individually, with each tribute being created by a different weblog. I am proud to be a contributing weblog in this…
Thank you for linking to my tribute! I have added you to my 9/11 WTC post.
Anna, what a beautiful job you did of honoring Daphne. It’s absolutely heart wrenching.
Thank you, beth. Your tribute was wonderful, too.
Very, very nice.
Thank you, Anna.
Thank you, David. I’ve added another tribute as well.
Thanks for the memories Daphne, and thank you Rose for being so kind to tribute two people of that day. I remembered Thomas Foley and have been blessed by Project 2996.
Thank you, Malinda. Your tribute literally had me in tears. Thomas was a true hero! This has been a tremendous experience…a difficult and sad experience, but one I would not give up.
Carnival of Blue Stars #17 – 9-11-2006 Edition
This special additon of the Carnival of Blue Stars is dedicated to the memories of those who perished in the horrifc attacks on our homeland 5 years ago.
Thank you for putting together a tribute roundup, beth.
[...] SOB Alliance members A Rose by Any Other Name, Steve the Pirate, and Interested-Participant are part of the 2996 project. Congrats to all of them, as well as the all of the other blog contributors around the nation (probably around the world) for getting involved. A Rose tells you about to Daphne Ferlinda Elder, Steve gives you insights into Joseph Zuccala, and I-P covers Obdulio Ruiz-Diaz, Manuel Da Mota, and Joshua Poptean. All victims are clearly missed. Multiply the agony inflicted and the talent lost by 600 and you get an idea of the treasure unspeakably evil people took from us 5 years ago. [...]
Thanks Tom!
What a beautiful tribute to Daphne, Anna! I think what makes me cry the most is the fact that these people had so much life left.
I wrote a memorial post in honor of Betty Ong, Flight Attendant on Flight 11. I really didn’t know about her before, but I feel so very sad, personally, at our loss now. She was a wonderful person.
The 2,996 Project was beautiful. God bless you for participating!
Lady Jane, I am so glad that I did it, too. I felt, at first, that I couldn’t do justice for either of my tributes, but as I read more and more of the comments, I just had to let other people know about them both.
I read your post as well and Betty was an amazing woman. How she stayed calm through that horror…
September 11 Tributes and Links
Here are some of the countless September 11 Tributes and Links that I found particularly touching or interesting.2,996 Tributes to the Victims. …
And thank you, Lady Jane.
You did what a memorial is supposed to do Anna: You made a lovely woman come alive again, if only for a moment.
Thank you, Book. That means a lot to mean and that is what I was hoping!
[...] A Rose by Any Other Name remembers Daphne Ferlinda Elder, Marsh & McLennan, WTC. [...]
Thanks for the link!