Their Mother's Children

 

Lisa Trerotola,

Port Authority of NY/NJ

Lisa Trerotola was only thirty-six years old when she was killed at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  She was at work on that terrible Tuesday morning twenty-one Septembers ago, working as an Administrative Assistant for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in its offices, which at that time were located at 1 World Trade Center (the North Tower).   She worked on the 64th floor.  

For Lisa Trerotola, the day that ended up being the final day of her life was not the first time she had been at work when the World Trade Center was attacked.  On September 11, 2001, she was where she had been on February 26, 1993, when the World Trade Center was attacked for the first time.   On that cold February day, she was among the lucky ones.  On a warm, sun-soaked September morning eight and one-half years later, she was not. 

For years, Lisa Trerotola and her husband, Michael, had struggled to have a baby and to start a family.  Then lightning struck not once, but twice.  Roughly three and one-half years before she died, Lisa Trerotola gave birth to twins, Amanda and Michael.  On the final morning of her life, she stayed up until 2 a.m. putting the finishing touches on a handmade canvas bookbag for Amanda.  She had already completed Michael's.  Four hours later, she got up to get ready for work.  She never came home.  

Amanda Trerotola and Michael Trerotola, less than four years old when their mother died, did not learn that she had died at the World Trade Center until they were eleven years old.   Their dad, Michael, and their stepmom, Elizabeth, had told them simply that Lisa had died in a fire.   

Michael Trerotola graduated from The College of New Jersey in December 2021.  Shortly thereafter he shared his story with Alexandra Marvar of TCNJ Magazine.  I cannot recommend it enough.  As he was matriculating his way through TCNJ, Amanda was representing New Jersey with pride at The Ohio State University, from which she graduated in 2021.  She, too, has a beautiful soul.    

If you woke up this morning feeling as if life owes you something more than it has thus far delivered, then consider if you will that after having lost their mother in 2001 before their 4th birthdays, Amanda and Michael Trerotola buried their dad, Michael, earlier this year.   

-AK