Word reached us September 11
of the loss at the World Trade Center of Stacey Ann Sennas McGowan, managing
director for Sandler O'Neill Partners and daughter of our classmates
Fran (Nikola) and Semo Sennas. Some of us sent our own messages of condolence,
while some of us exchanged personal notes and news concerning the story,
or word of their own relatives living or visiting in New York or Washington
D.C. on September 11.
Of course, all of us were affected in some
way by the events of September 11. Bob Zehner, for example, wrote that
his son and daughter-in-law were both in Manhattan at the time. Others,
with friends or relatives in New York or at the Pentagon, spoke of the
confusion and uncertainty in the hours following the attacks. But all advised
not posting those notes, which paled into insignificance beside Fran and
Semo's loss.
But, with Fran and Semo's permission, we now
express publicly our collective sympathy and support, and provide here
links to and information on the wonderful tributes that have been paid
to Stacey.
As explained by Fran and Semo in the note below,
Stacey's classmates (NHS 1981) have organized a foundation to honor her
memory and legacy as a leader and an exemplary and outgoing scholar-athlete.
(The Stacey Sennas McGowan Foundation, PO Box 127, Nyack, NY 10960).
A
MESSAGE FROM FRAN AND SEMO:
Thanks for your kind words. We, of course,
are devastated with Stacey's loss. However, she will be in our hearts
forever.... There is the STACEY SENNAS McGOWAN FOUNDATION set up in her
memory. The goal is to encourage outstanding young people in our
community. The foundation will probably be awarded yearly to a lacrosse
scholar/athlete in the county. We dont mind at all if you put the
info about Stacey and the foundation on the website.