Barbara (Bobbi) Arestegui, age 38, lived in Marstons Mills, Massachusetts with her fiancé. Originally from a suburb of Los Angeles and a flight attendant for thirteen years, Ms. Arestegui had a passion for animals and loved to cook. Her mother, fiancé, and siblings survive her.
Jeffrey Collman, age 41, from Novato, California, was born in Yorkville, Illinois. Mr. Collman loved to fly and travel and fulfilled his dream by becoming a flight attendant in 1997. He was courageous and safety-conscious according to his life partner. His parents and five siblings also survive him.
Sara Elizabeth Low, age 29, from Boston, Massachusetts, was born in Batesville, Arkansas. Ms. Low’s career as a flight attendant emanated from her family’s passion for travel when she was growing up. Ms. Low held advanced degrees in banking and finance from the University of Arkansas, and was dedicated to her airline career because she could help people. Her parents and sister survive her.
Karen Martin, age 40, lived in Danvers, Massachusetts, and became a flight attendant in 1989. Her organizational and competitive skills made her a person “in charge”. Ms. Martin liked to work for the long, transcontinental flights and would proclaim to her friends “there was something special in the air” when she was flying.
Kathy Nicosia, age 54, was a native of Indiana, and received a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She resided in Winthrop, Massachusetts, and was a flight attendant with American Airlines for 32 years. Mrs. Nicosia’s hobbies were reading and gardening. Her husband, daughter, mother and three siblings survive her.
Betty Ann Ong, age 45, was from Andover, Massachusetts. Her sister described her as loving, patient, caring, humorous, beautiful and beloved by all who knew her.
Jean Roger, age 24, lived in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, loved flying and would fill in whenever she was needed. Although not scheduled to fly, Jean volunteered on September 11th. Ms. Roger’s parents survive her.
Diane (Bullis) Snyder, age 42, of Westport, Massachusetts, flew for American Airlines for 19 years. A graduate of Boston University, Mrs. Snyder was an avid tennis player. Her other hobbies included gardening, quilt making, and camping. Her husband, two children, parents and siblings survive her.
Madeline Amy Sweeney, age 35, of Acton, Massachusetts, was born in Valley Stream, New York. “Amy” flew for American Airlines for 12 years, and picked up an extra day on September 11th. By using an air phone, Mrs. Sweeney relayed information about the hijackers to a ground supervisor. As a result of this action, the FBI started their investigation, and Congress is considering her for the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the highest civilian honor—for her bravery. Survivors include her husband, two children, parents, stepparents, and brother.
John Ogonowski, age 52, pilot, was from Dracut, Massachusetts. A former Air Force pilot, Captain Ogonowski was interested in farming. His wife and three daughters survive him.
Thomas McGuinness, age 42, co-captain, was from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A devoted family man, McGuinness was active in his community and church. His wife and two children survive him.
Amy Jarret, age 28, was a native of Rhode Island. A graduate of Villanova University, Ms. Jarret became a flight attendant because of a scarcity of jobs when she graduated in 1994. She was a rabid Notre Dame football fan, and was engaged to her college sweetheart. Besides her fiancé, Amy is survived by her mother and stepfather Marilyn and Bruce Trudeau, her father and two brothers.
Amy King, age 29, lived in Stafford Spring, Connecticut, with her fiancé, Michael Tarrou, who was also on the same flight (see below). Ms. King grew up near Jamestown, New York, and graduated from Jamestown Community College. She was kind and fun-loving and enjoyed running, painting, and traveling. Her parents, two sisters, and grandmothers survive her.
Kathryn LaBorie, age 44, from Providence, Rhode Island, grew up in Colorado Springs. A graduate of the University of Denver, Ms. LaBorie was interested in politics. While on flying campaign stops, she changed her career goals and became a flight attendant for United. Her husband, parents, and brothers survive her.
Alfred Marchand, age 44, from Alamogordo, New Mexico, spent twenty-one years in law enforcement and upon retiring as a police lieutenant, he became a flight attendant with United Airlines. Mr. Marchand chose this second career on a whim and discovered he loved it. His wife of four years and sons from a previous marriage survive him.
Michael Tarrou, age 38, lived in Stafford Spring, Connecticut, with his fiancée, Amy King, and also a crewmember (see above). Mr. Tarrou grew up in Wantagh, New York. His love of flying was only surpassed by his love for music. His parents and daughter survive him.
Alicia Nicole Titus, age 28, lived in San Francisco, California. A native of Ohio, Ms. Titus was a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and planned to return to college to get her teaching credentials. She loved the outdoors. She was always joyous and had a knack for making people happy. Her parents survive her.
Captain Victor Saracini, age 51, the pilot, originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey, lived in Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania. A former Navy pilot, Saracini imbued his love of flying in his children. His wife and daughters survive him.
Michael Harrocks, age 38, first officer, from Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, was a retired Marine. Harrocks graduated from West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he was a quarterback. His wife and two children survive him.
Michele Heidenberger, age 57, worked for American for twenty-five years. Ms. Heidenberger’s training in hijack situations was extensive, and most likely she used these skills to prevent the perpetrators from entering the cockpit. Her family survives her.
Jennifer Lewis, age 38, was onboard with her flight attendant husband, Kenneth. From Culpepper, Virginia, Mrs. Lewis had a great sense of humor, loved shoes and horseback riding. Though the couple normally flew separately, they worked this shift so they could vacation in Los Angeles. Their families took comfort in the fact that they were together.
Kenneth Lewis, age 49, flew with his wife, Jennifer, to vacation in Los Angeles at the end of the run. He was an avid skier, and loved hiking, climbing and golfing. The couple met at a party through another flight attendant.
Renee Ann May, from Baltimore, Maryland, was a graduate of San Diego State University. Besides her career as a flight attendant, Ms. May was a docent for the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Her parents, grandfather, sister and fiancé survive her.
Charles Burlingame, age 51, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. A former Navy fighter pilot, Captain Burlingame became an American Airlines pilot in 1989, was a safety specialist and committed to people. His wife, a flight attendant, survives him.
David Charlebois, age 39, served as co-pilot and lived in Washington, D.C. with his life partner of 14 years. Originally from Front Royal, Virginia, Captain Charlebois was an advocate for gay and lesbian rights. His parents survive him.
The members of FAMRI’s Board of Trustees express our profound condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, and pay special tribute to the flight attendants who died that day.
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Barbara Arestegui
Jeffrey Collman
Sara Low
Karen Martin
Kathleen Nicosia
Betty Ong
Jean Roger
Dianne Snyder
Madeline “Amy” Sweeney
COCKPIT CREW
John Ogonowski
Thomas McGuinness
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Robert Fangman
Amy Jarret
Amy King
Kathryn LaBorie
Alfred Marchand
Michael Tarrou
Alicia Titus
COCKPIT CREW
Captain Victor Saracini
Michael Harrocks
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Michele Heidenberger
Jennifer Lewis
Kenneth Lewis
Renee May
COCKPIT CREW
Charles Burlingame
David Charlebois
For more information about these individuals please visit
Legacy.com’s September 11th tribute page.
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Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (FAMRI) 2024