Sunday, September 10, 2006

2996 Project

Karen Lynn Seymour-Dietrich, age 40, Wall Street Technology Specialist, ETC Division, Garban Intercapital, World Trade Center, New York City. 

How in the world does one capture the essence of a person they never knew?  From all the reading I've done, it appears that Karen Seymour-Dietrich was a woman most would consider to have it all together; young, beautiful, energetic, intelligent, a loving wife and mother.  She was an award winning member of a profesionnal cycling team and continued cycling after her retirement from competition. She met her future husband, William Dietrich, a bicycle racer, while pedaling in Millington, N.J. and passionately entered the competitve circle.

Ms. Seymour earned her bachelor's degree in business information systems at the University of Baltimore in 1981, and completed a master's in business administration in finance at Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1992. Her career included work in the design and management of trading-floor systems at Salomon Brothers and Deutsche Bank.

She developed a passion for the culinary arts and cooking.  She attended the French Culinary Institute in New York, graduating first in her class. She went on to work at La Grenouille in New York and the Stage House Inn in Scotch Plains. A culinary career, however, was shelved with the birth of the twins, William and Sarah, in 1997.

On September 11, 2001, she was working for the ETC division of Garban Intercapital in the World Trade Center as a Wall Street technology specialist on the 25th floor.  She would soon become a victim of the worst act of terrorism to hit our world.  That day she was attending a financial technology seminar which placed her on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center.  That day, she, along with 2,995 others would become statistics.  Behind those numbers are faces, families and loved ones deprived and robbed of the existence of their family members.  Dreams shattered and torn from them.

Karen's husband, William Dietrich, made a huge decision to keep his wife's memory alive.  He founded The Karen  L. Seymour Fund at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. Quoting William Dietrich "This will encourage greater global harmony by educating children and families of all backgrounds in the peaceful use of science and technology in the hope that future generations will be spared the pain and horror of this tragedy."  His wish is that his children or no other children ever have to experience or witness the violence which occurred on September 11, 2001.

Besides her husband and children, Karen Seymour-Dietrich is survived by her parents, David Seymour and Catherine Seymour; a brother, Glen; and a sister, Debra.  I would like to extend my heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the Dietrich and Seymour families who still must carry a huge hole in their hearts at the loss of such a lovely, vibrant lady. 

I felt a huge honor in taking part in this project.  I would like all the families to know that we have not forgotten this day or the horrific events which stole your loved ones and shattered a nation; if not the world. 

Remembering 9/11

Author: Unknown

As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hoping,
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno,
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss,
We became one soul.
As we retell with pride the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.

 

Dedicated to the life and memory of Karen Lynn Seymour-Dietrich

            
Karen, may your light shine forever.........
 

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

A beautiful entry Chris.  How sad to leave little twin children of that age but her wonderful husband set up a fund.  I have been reading about so many victims today and feel as though I have come to know them in a small way.  May Karen rest in peace. I am also proud to be part of the 2,996 project.  It is wonderful that so many journallers can unite together in this common cause.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

Anonymous said...

Chris, that was beautiful! So well written and touching.

Hugs, Mandy~

Anonymous said...

Chris that was a beautiful tribute to Karen ,if her family can read it they would be touched by the way you have done this lovely dedication to Karen ,how I feel for her family .God bless you ,.,.,.,Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Beatiful writeen,thank you for sharing.Have a wodnerful week.

Anonymous said...

Great entry Chris!!!! http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)

Anonymous said...

Chris,

You did an awesome job with your tribute to Karen.  I enjoyed reading about her and her life and family...what a great idea this is to help people get to know the people who died in this tragedy.  They were not just statistics, and this helps us put faces and lives with their names.

Take Care,
~Bilinda~

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute to Karen. I do hope her family are bearing up with the fifth anniversary. May they find peace. Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels

Anonymous said...

Lovely tribute.TY!
My eyes continue to brim over today & will tomorrow.
God bless each one.
Sugar

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful tribute ~ it really touched my heart ~ as I am sure it will everyone who reads it ~ Karen Seymour~Dietrich would be proud of such a tribute to her ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

Chris,

Thank you hun for this lovely tribute to Karen Seymour-Dietrich and for her family!! I shall never forget!


GBU,
Chelle

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute Chris!
So very touching =(

Hugss..~Terri~

Anonymous said...

well written and heart felt. I am so sad. So sad.
LOVE, lisa

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful!
Missie

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Beautifuul written....My heart is heavy tongight from reading these tributes.but we must remember...we MUST.
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

very nice Chris very nice:)

Deb

Anonymous said...

beautiful entry, Chris; she seems like a wonderful woman.

betty

Anonymous said...

Very beautifully written, Chris..  I loved how you made her sound like she was everybody's best friend.  How ironic is life.. when had she been on the 25th floor when the plan hit the tower instead of the 106th.. she would have probably made it out the building.  Fate can be cruel sometimes..

Hugs
jackie

Anonymous said...

This has been the first tribute to a woman that I've read. Very touching....you did a great job.

God Bless America....Brenda

Anonymous said...

Awww (((((Chris))))) what a beautiful, moving tribute. Once again, I'm reduced to tears at this atrocity which shook your country. You know, also, that I will NEVER forget, and my prayers are with Karen's family, and all the others too. God rest Karen's soul, and yes, may her light shine forever.....lovely words Chris.
much love to you my friend, hugs Debbie ~xxxxxxxxxx~
http://journals.aol.co.uk/debbiewebb4465/TheLifeTimesofanEssexGirl

Anonymous said...

Such a sad story and terrible to such wonderful people. thanks for sharing
brandie

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this... she lived in my cousin's town... it is so hard this day...

be well,
Dawn

http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/entries/2006/09/11/911-the-end-of-the-innocence/2149

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Chris!  Just beautiful.  Hugs and GBU, Shelly

Anonymous said...

Chris, this is such a touching entry. You wrote it so well, like you actually did know her. What a sad, sad day in our country`s history.
Love you and God bless-
Penny

Anonymous said...

Very well done.  Thanks for posting her story.  Take care and have a good week.

Phil

Anonymous said...

Chris, your tribute is just beautiful!! Well done!  I feel like I know her.  
Have a good week.
Pam

Anonymous said...

Chris, what a beautiful tribute to Karen, she would be proud !!!!!!!!! Hugs Lisa

Anonymous said...

This was so lovely. You did her proud. My blessings to her husband and children may they find peace on day.
Thank you for visiting my site and commenting on my 2996 entry.
Take care, Chrissie

Anonymous said...

Thanks for working on this project.  
David

Anonymous said...

You did a fantastic job remembering Karen.
Its so difficult to write about someone you didn't know who died in such a horrific way and to feel like you've done them some kind of justice. I know I struggled quite a bit with my entry. But you did great.

Shermeen xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/shermeen0621/PublicThoughts/