Sunday, September 11, 2011

Jennifer L. Howley



Name: Jennifer L. Howley

Age: 34

Residence: New Hyde Park, NY, United States

Occupation: Aon Corp.

Location: World Trade Center, Tower 2


Jennifer was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, and a mother to be. On the 11th day of September 2001 that ended. This is my tribute to her.
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On that day, I awoke. I got dressed. I dressed my six week old child. I dropped her off with my mother. I kissed her good bye and went to work. I admired the beautiful flowers that had arrived at the flower shop that morning. From all over the world. I was in Baton Rouge, LA. I was safe.
On that day, she awoke. She got dressed and went to work. She kissed her husband good bye and went to the tower. New York City, NY. She worked in that building with people from all over the world.
When I signed up for this tribute I had no idea what I was getting into. I expected I would be assigned a firefighter, a police officer, a paramedic perhaps. Not a mother to be. Not someone like me. I was not prepared for that. I think of all the beautiful times with my baby. Times she never got to experience before she died. I wonder what went through her mind, the fear, the sadness in those final moments, the helplessness of it all. I've been told all my life that life is not fair. Life is not fair. And for 2995 other people that day life was not fair.
Jennifer was a beautiful and loved woman. She worked hard, smiled often, had a lovely laugh. She had hopes and dreams and desires. She, like everyone else, deserved to live and long and happy life. She deserved to see her child's face, to have that precious moment of seeing her baby for the very first time. To wait for that very first cry, to count fingers and toes. To hold her child. To hold her child. To hold her child.
On September 11, 2001 I went home and held my child.
Jennifer, I never knew you. I will never forget you.
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Here are a some articles that I found about her. I hope you take the time to read them.
This was her obituary. A scholarship has been set up in her name.

DORSEY-HOWLEY-Jennifer Lynn, age 34 yrs, New York, died tragically Tuesday (9/11/ 01) as a result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. Born to Lyle G. and Donna Jean (Taylor) Dorsey on July 7, 1967, in Lincoln, NE.Graduated from Lincoln Southeast in 1985. Moved to New York City in Oct. 1985. Since 1987, Jennifer has worked in the insruance industry. Since 1994, she has worked with Aon, 2 World Trade Center, 92nd floor, where she was recently promoted from Senior VP to Director. She married Brian Howley in 1997 and they were expecting their first baby in January 2002. Jennifer will always be remembered for her beautiful contagious smile.
Survived by husband, Brian, NY;parents, Lyle and Joan Dorsey; brother and sister-in-law, Matthew and Mary Dorsey; sister, Kristine Leonhardt; grandma, Jeanette Taylor, all of Lincoln; mother-in-law, Mary Ann Howley, VA; brothers-in-law and spouses, James and Leah Howley Jr., NY, Sean and Erica Howley, VA; aunts and uncles; niece and nephews; many special friends. Preceded in death by mother, Donna Jean (Taylor) Dorsey; father-in-law, James P. Howley; grandparents.

Memorial Service Tuesday 2 pm at Faith Bible Church, 6201 S. 84th St., Lincoln. Pastor Tom Rempel,officiating. Memorials in lieu offlowers, care of the family.
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***I originally posted this in 2006 on myspace. I promised then to repost this is every single year. I have not forgotten that promise. Jennifer and her unborn child have been on my mind a great deal this week. I will never forget you, Jennifer. Rest In Peace, dear. *****

BIOGRAPHY OF JENNIFER L. DORSEY-HOWLEY


Jennifer L. Dorsey-Howley

Photo: Jennifer L. Dorsey Howley
Jennifer L. Dorsey-Howley


Lincoln Southeast can be justifiably proud of its 1985 graduate, Jennifer L. Dorsey-Howley. On September 11, 2001 she was last seen ushering co-workers to the stairwell on the fire-engulfed 92nd floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center, before attempting to descend the staircase herself.

In Jennifer's 14 years in the insurance industry, she worked her way up from an entry-level position to the title of Director within Aon Corporation, the world's second largest insurance brokerage and a Fortune 500 company. Her client base was estimated at 1/2 billion dollars.

"I would like to briefly tell you about a woman who defied expectations," Jennifer's husband, Brian Howley, said in accepting LSE's Distinguished Alumni award on her behalf in April, 2002.

"As many of you well know, graduation is decision time...Jennifer's financial situation dictated that a job would be better suited for her than college...after a year and a half (as a nanny to two small children in Long Island, NY)...Jennifer...seized an opportunity to work with an insurance company in Midtown Manhattan, " he said.

"For the next 14 years, and against many odds, Jennifer's intelligence, confidence, hard work, and determination combined to successfully establish herself as a preeminent insurance broker in her industry."

"Because Jennifer did not have a college degree, she had to work much harder...however, once she established herself, a degree became a moot point as she immediately began proving her prowess among her peers."

"What Jennifer didn't do, was to allow the caliber of the individuals within her industry, most of them Ivy League graduates, to intimidate her. Jennifer would never back down," Brian emphasized.

A number of colleagues wrote to Brian to share their thoughts of Jennifer.

One highly respected colleague in the insurance industry noted, in Jennifer's professional vitae, "a reputation for thoroughness, efficiency, organization, energy and originality in problem resolution,...(and)...has become a formidable player and a keen competitor (in the insurance brokerage/risk management industry)."

"Jennifer was like no other. She had the ability to be a team leader, while all the time being a teammate," Brian recalled from those colleagues who wrote to him.
"She learned from mistakes, and grew because of them. She knew that hiding from mistakes was a weakness, and because Jennifer was not weak, she could admit and learn from them...now that takes someone special," Brian said.
"In both the banking and the insurance fields, the expectation is that you will be a dedicated employee (who) will sacrifice yourself for the company. With that sacrifice comes hard work and long hours. Neither of these were an issue for Jennifer- - she was the personification of hard work," Brian noted.

"One of our last goals was Jen's alone. Work 5 more years and then cut back and become a stay-at-home Mom. While I believe she would never leave the workforce, I knew that today's technology would allow her to work from home or virtually anywhere. She also knew this, and we spoke about it all the time. Jennifer had work in her blood. She thrived because of it and somehow it never left her system."