United Airlines' Flight 93 left from Newark, N.J., en route to San Francisco, at 8:42 a.m. on September 11, 2001. By the time Flight 93 became airborne, Flight 11 had already been commandeered and Flight 175 was being hijacked. Flight 77 was climbing normally and would be hijacked in 9 minutes. The hijacking began at 9:28 a.m. The well documented passenger revolt on Flight 93 began at 9:57 a.m. The passengers' remarkable courage drove the plane into a field in Shanksville, Pa. and probably saved the lives of many, since the flight failed to reach its hijackers' intended target. The Flight 93 National Memorial honors those who lost their lives. It resides at the crash site in Shanksville. This is the story of those 40 people.

Christian Adams Adams was the deputy director of the German Wine Institute. He was en route to San Francisco for a wine-tasting event to showcase the 2000 vintages. A colleague from the German Wine Information Bureau in New York recalled Adams' thoughtful, quiet manner and his depth of knowledge of the wine business. Adams, a resident of Biebelsheim, Germany, is survived by his wife, Silke, a son, Lukas, and a daughter, Theresa.

Lorraine G. Bay Lorraine was a 37-year veteran of United Airlines. On Sept. 11, she was working as a flight attendant on Flight 93. The Philadelphia native loved her job. And although she was one of United's most senior flight attendants, she preferred to work in the coach section. She mentored younger flight attendants and never failed to remember her co-workers and family with special cards and unique gifts. Two of Bay's colleagues received cards postmarked September 11, 2001, indicating that they were mailed that fateful morning. Bay and her husband of 22 years, Erich, made their home in East Windsor, N.J.

Todd Beamer Todd Beamer is famous for uttering the words, "Let's Roll" after speaking to a GTE supervisor who he got on the phone after a failed attempt to call his wife Lisa by Airfone. He told the supervisor, Lisa Jefferson, that he and a few other passengers were planning on jumping the hijackers. According to Jefferson, Beamer's last audible words were "Are you guys ready? Let's roll." Beamer, 32, an account manager for Oracle, left his Cranberry, N.J. home on September 11 for a one-day business trip to San Francisco. Beamer was raised in the Chicago area and graduated from Wheaton College, earning an MBA from DePaul University.

Alan Anthony Beaven Environmental lawyer Alan Anthony Beaven, 48, practiced law in his native New Zealand, then in England, New York, and finally, California. After working as a prosecutor for Scotland Yard and as a securities and anti-trust attorney, Alan moved to Oakland, Calif., where he found his niche in environmental litigation. His passions were his family, his spiritual journey, and protecting the Bay Area's water quality, tirelessly prosecuting violators of the Clean Water Act. On September 11, Alan was flying to California to handle one last case. Then he and his wife, Kimi, and their young daughter, Sonali, planned to leave for a year's stay in India, where Alan would provide legal advice about that country's pollution and deforestation problems. Beaven is also survived by his sons, John and Chris.

Mark Bingham Mark Bingham, 31, was establishing a new office on the East Coast for his California-based public relations firm, The Bingham Group. The successful and adventurous executive traveled frequently for both work and pleasure. He was a former rugby champion at the University of California, Berkeley. On the morning of September 11, Bingham overslept and nearly missed his flight; he was the last passenger to board. He is among the passengers who attempted to storm the cockpit of Flight 93. During the hijacking, he phoned his mother, Alice Hoagland, reporting that his plane had been hijacked and relaying his love for her. In addition to his mother, Bingham is survived by his father and stepmother, Jerry and Karen Bingham.

Deora Frances Bodley Deora Frances Bodley was returning to California to go back to school at Santa Clara University, where she was a junior majoring in psychology and aspiring to become a child psychologist. She was visiting friends and family in New Jersey and Connecticut. Deora loved children and volunteered with many charity groups, including the Special Olympics and the San Diego Zoo. She was a peer counselor to troubled teens and tutored in an after-school program. Remembered as independent and introspective, Deora loved her family and enjoyed reading and writing. She is survived by her mother, Deborah Borza, and a sister, Muriel.

Sandy Waugh Bradshaw Sandy Waugh Bradshaw, 38, a native of Climax, N.C., always wanted to be a flight attendant, the perfect career for someone who loved meeting people and traveling. After 11 years in the field, she was now flying only two trips per month, allowing her time at home with her toddlers, Alexandria and Nathan, teenage stepdaughter, Shenan, and husband, Phil, who was a pilot for U.S. Airways. When faced with the hijack on September 11, Bradshaw called United Airlines to report the emergency and describe the terrorists. Then she called her husband in their Greensboro, N.C. home. Phil recalls Sandy saying that she and others were boiling water to throw on the hijackers and that everyone was running up to first class.

Marion R. Britton Marion R. Britton had a knack for engaging strangers in conversation. It's what launched her 21-year career with the U.S. Census Bureau. As a census enumerator, she sometimes encountered families in need and returned after hours to deliver food and clothing to them. Colleagues and family remember Britton's generosity, her frankness, and her dedication to the Bureau. On September 11, Britton, 53, of Brooklyn, N.Y., now the Assistant Regional Director of the New York office, was flying with co-worker Waleska Martinez to attend a conference in San Francisco. During the hijacking, Britton phoned a long-time friend, Fred Fiumano, and tearfully told him it felt like her plane was turning and was going to crash. Marian is survived by her brother, Paul.

Thomas Edward Burnett, Jr. Thomas Edward Burnett, Jr., 38, was the vice president and COO of Thoratec Corporation, a Pleasanton, Calif.-based medical devices company. While on board Flight 93, he was able to call his wife, Deena, four times on an Airfone after the hijackers took control of the plane. He reportedly told her, "We're all going to die, but three of us are going to do something ... . "We have to do something. We can't wait for the authorities... . It's up to us. I think we can do it." He is survived by his wife and three young daughters: Halley, Madison and Anna Clare. He is also survived by a biological daughter, Mariah, that he and his college girlfriend gave up for adoption in 1985. (Mariah Mills now has a relationship with Deena and her three half-sisters.)

William Joseph Cashman William Joseph Cashman, 60, was an ironworker from West New York, N.J. Cashman was proud of the fact that during his 40 years with Ironworkers Local 46, he helped to construct the World Trade Center. He was traveling aboard Flight 93 with his long-time friend Patrick Joseph Driscoll. The two were going to go hiking in Yosemite National Park. Cashman served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division. The tall, wiry native New Yorker loved spending time outdoors, and often hiked in parks near his home, as well as out West. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Maggie.

Georgine Rose Corrigan While working as a bank teller in her native Ohio in 1976, Georgine Rose Corrigan, 55, had a chance meeting that led to a job offer in Hawaii. Corrigan and her infant daughter, Laura, relocated and made the island their home. Georgine worked at dozens of different jobs, many relying on her artistic talent. She became a well-known antiques and collectables dealer, designed jewelry and developed a line of Christmas ornaments decorated with tropical flowers. Friends said she was "crazy about roses," a nod to her middle name. On September 11, Corrigan, 55, was on her way home from an East Coast buying trip and a visit with her brother in New Jersey.

Patricia Cushing Patricia Cushing, 69, was traveling aboard Flight 93 with her friend and sister-in-law, Jane Folger, to visit San Francisco for the first time, a trip the two had been planning for months. Cushing raised five children in Bayonne, N.J. -- sons Thomas, John and David, and daughters Alicia and Pegeen. She was widowed in 1988. The Maryland native retired after 20 years as a service representative for New Jersey Bell Telephone. She held season tickets for The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, loved movies and ballet, and played mahjong every week. Her family remembers that she never had a bad word to say and remained upbeat no matter what the circumstances.

Capt. Jason M. Dahl Capt. Jason M. Dahl, 43, from Littleton, Colo., worked for United Airlines as a flight instructor in their Denver training center. As part of the requirements to keep his flight certification current, he had scheduled himself to captain Flight 93. He had rearranged his September 11 flight schedule so he could take his wife, Sandy, to London for their upcoming fifth wedding anniversary. When he boarded Flight 93 that morning he carried with him, as always, a small box of rocks, a long-ago gift from his son. In September 2001, Dahl had been living in Littleton, Colo. with his wife and teenage son, Matthew.

Joseph DeLuca Joseph DeLuca, 52, a lifelong resident of northern New Jersey, graduated from Jersey City State College and worked at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare for 23 years, designing computer software systems. The Succasunna resident was devoted to his parents and is remembered for his sense of humor. He was passionate about sports car racing, edited a sports car newsletter, and loved driving his yellow Morgan roadster. DeLuca's alter ego was a car-racing feline, immortalized in his syndicated cartoon, "The Adventures of Raymond the Cat." DeLuca was aboard Flight 93 with his girlfriend, Linda Gronlund, traveling to the wine country of Napa Valley. During the hijacking of their flight, Joe telephoned his father to say good-bye. He is survived by his sister, Carol.

Patrick Joseph Driscoll Patrick Joseph Driscoll, 70, was a retired director of software development for regional Bell telephone companies and a Navy veteran. Described as "brainy and rugged," Driscoll would describe reaching the summit on a challenging hiking trail as a spiritual experience. On September 11, he and his long-time friend, William Cashman, were traveling to hike in Yosemite National Park. The Manalapan, N.J. resident was the son of Irish immigrants, grew up in Manhattan and served four years aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer during the Korean War. He and his wife, Maureen, were married for 42 years and had four children: Stephen, Patrick, Chris and Pam.

Edward Porter Felt Edward Porter Felt, 41, of Matawan, N.J., was known as a problem solver in his job as a computer engineer at BEA Systems, a software firm. He had been awarded two patents in the field of encryption technology. After growing up in Clinton, N.Y., Felt graduated from Colgate University and received a Master's degree from Cornell University. He loved the outdoors and spending time with his wife, Sandra, and daughters Adrienne and Kathryn. He was en route to San Francisco on a last-minute business trip on September 11. Investigators believe Felt, who was seated in seat 2D, was herded to the back of the plane when the hijacking occurred. He called 911 on his cell phone and reached an operator in Westmoreland County. "We're being hijacked. We're being hijacked," he told the operator.

Jane C. Folger Jane C. Folger, 73, a retired bank officer, was traveling on Flight 93 with her sister-in-law and friend, Patricia Cushing, for a long-anticipated sightseeing trip to San Francisco. The two women lived just blocks from each other in Bayonne, N.J. and often took day trips together. Strong and resilient, Folger raised six children, then lost a son in the Vietnam War and another son to AIDS. Jane loved New York City, traveling there weekly and introducing her six grandchildren to her favorite stores, theaters, museums, and cultural events. She is survived by children Robert, Kathleen, Thomas and Michael.

Colleen L. Fraser Colleen L. Fraser, 51, was a nationally-known advocate for the disabled. A native of Elizabeth, N.J. and a graduate of Rutgers University, Colleen helped draft the "Americans with Disabilities Act." She carried a tiny copy of the Constitution with her to encourage the disabled to become their own advocates. At just 4' 6" tall, Colleen herself relied on a cane and a mobility scooter. On September 11, Colleen was flying to a grant-writing seminar in Reno, Nev., hoping to become more effective as Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living.

Andrew (Sonny) Garcia On September 11, 2001, Andrew's wife Dorothy, says she heard her husband, Andrew, utter just one word before his telephone call from Flight 93 was disconnected: "Dorothy." Andrew (Sonny) Garcia, 62, savored family life and exuded a deep sense of spirituality and concern for others. Garcia grew up in Sunnyvale, Calif., and graduated from San Jose State University. He was married for 32 years, lived in Portola Valley, Calif., and had three children: Kelly, Audrey and Andrew Jr. A former air traffic controller with the California Air National Guard and, briefly, a purchasing manager for United Airlines, Andy ran an industrial products supply business, Cinco Group, with his wife. Though he never earned a pilot's license, he was fascinated with aviation and airplanes. On September 11, he was returning home from a meeting in New Jersey.

Jeremy Logan Glick Jeremy Logan Glick, 31, was one of several passengers believed to have counterattacked the hijackers. Glick was a U.S. National Collegiate Judo champion in 1993. He called his wife on September 11 and told her, "We're going to rush the hijackers." As their call ended, Glick told his wife he loved her and needed her to be happy. Then he put the phone down. Glick married his long-time girlfriend Lyzbeth. The two were prom king and queen in 1988. The couple had a daughter, Emerson, on June 18, 2001. He named her after famous author, Ralph Waldo Emerson. He was traveling from his home in New Jersey on business as a sales manager for Vividence, Inc.

Kristin Osterholm Kristin Osterholm White Gould, 65, was a freelance medical journalist and published author who loved to travel to historical and cultural sites. She was an intellectual with a creative spirit and wide range of interests, including literature, drama and writing. A native of Port Washington, N.Y., and a graduate of Cornell University, she was fluent in several languages, including Latin and ancient Greek. Her brownstone on New York's Upper West Side was filled with books. Kristin was a patron of the arts and especially enjoyed live performance. Gould was in the midst of writing a book about the medical and scientific contributions of Ivy League university graduates. She boarded Flight 93 to visit friends in California. Gould is survived by a daughter, Allison.

Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, 38, was returning from her grandmother's funeral in New Jersey to her home in San Rafael, Calif. Raised in Houston, Texas, the University of Texas graduate had 15 years of marketing and sales experience, and most recently was an account executive at Good Housekeeping magazine. She and her husband, Jack, were expecting their first child. Lauren was writing a book intended to inspire women. When she called Jack from the plane, she left a message saying there was a problem on the flight. She conveyed her love for him and asked him to tell her family that she loved them, too. Lauren's sisters were able to complete and publish her book, "You Can Do It: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls."

Wanda Anita Green Wanda Anita Green, 49, was a Flight Attendant with United Airlines for 29 years, fulfilling a dream of flying and seeing the world. According to her mother, Wanda was one of the first African American flight attendants with United Airlines. Wanda was a dedicated mother to her children, Jennifer and Joe Benjamin, a deacon in her church, and active in her local community of Linden, N.J. She earned her real estate license and planned to open her own real estate office after retiring from United. Wanda planned to visit her family in Oakland, Calif. during her layover following the September 11 flight to the West Coast.

Donald Freeman Greene A licensed pilot who learned to fly at 14, Donald Freeman Greene, 52, of Greenwich, Conn., was headed to Lake Tahoe on September 11 to join his brothers on a hiking and biking trip. Greene was the Executive Vice President and a partner with his adoptive father in Safe Flight Instrument Corporation, manufacturer of products used in thousands of aircraft worldwide. Don loved flying, sailing and spending time with his family. Raised in White Plains, N.Y., Greene held an engineering degree from Brown University and an MBA from Pace University. Family members believe part of the passengers' plans to overtake the hijackers included having Greene take control of the plane. He is survived by his wife, Claudette, son, Charlie, and daughter, Jody.

Linda Gronlund Linda Gronlund, 46, of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., was an attorney and engineer for BMW North America working as manager of environmental compliance. A skilled mechanic with a passion for sports car racing, she was also an accomplished sailor, a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and held a brown belt in Karate. Gronlund attended Southampton College of Long Island University and American University's law school. On September 11, Linda was traveling with her boyfriend, Joe DeLuca. She planned to attend a business meeting, then she and Joe would celebrate her 47th birthday touring California's wine country. When terrorists took over their plane, Linda called her sister, Elsa, to express her love, give her the combination to her safe and say good-bye. Linda is also survived by her parents, Doris Gronlund and Gunnar Gronlund.

Richard J. Guadagno Richard J. Guadagno, 38, dedicated his life to protecting the environment. Growing up in Ewing, N.J., Rich came to love animals and the outdoors, leading him to a career as a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After graduating from Rutgers University, he worked for 17 years in refuges in New Jersey, Delaware, Oregon and, finally, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Northern California, where he was a Project Manager. After celebrating his grandmother's 100th birthday with family in New Jersey, Rich boarded Flight 93 to return home. He is survived by his parents, Jerry and Bea, and sister, Lori.

LeRoy Homer, Jr. LeRoy Homer, Jr. 36, was the First Officer of Flight 93. He grew up on Long Island with a love of planes and flying. He earned his private pilot's license at age 16. After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1987, LeRoy served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and later flew humanitarian missions to Somalia. He is survived by his wife, Melodie and daughter, Laurel, who was born in 2000.

Toshiya Kuge Toshiya Kuge, 20, of Osaka, Japan was an athlete and scholar who was determined to become proficient in English and earn a Master's degree in engineering from an American university. He loved American football and was a linebacker in his first year of college at Waseda University, where he studied engineering. On this two-week vacation, his last summer trip, Kuge went whitewater rafting in the Canadian Rockies, and visited Niagara Falls and the Statue of Liberty. This was his second visit to the United States. He was traveling alone in order to immerse himself in the English language. Flight 93 was the first leg of Kuge's journey home. He is survived by his parents, Yachiyo Kuge and Hajime Kuge and a brother, Naoya.

CeeCee Ross Lyles Just nine months before September 11, 2001, CeeCee Ross Lyles, 33, was working in the Fort Pierce, Fla., police force. She worked her way up from patrol officer to detective. After several years in law enforcement, she embarked on a new career as a flight attendant in January 2001, fulfilling her childhood dream. She and her husband, Lorne, also a police officer, had been married for little more than a year, forming a family with four sons: Jerome, Justin, Jordan, Jevon. During the hijacking of Flight 93, CeeCee phoned her husband, reaching their answering machine. She told Lorne: "I hope to be able to see your face again, baby. I love you. Good-bye." In a second call five minutes before the crash, the couple spoke and prayed together. Lorne recalls that CeeCee told him, "Tell the boys I love them. We're getting ready to do it now. It's happening!"

Hilda Marcin After emigrating with her parents from Germany when she was eight years old, Hilda Marcin, 79, settled in Irvington, N.J. She married Edward Marcin in 1943, and had two daughters, Elizabeth and Carole. Marcin worked for 20 years as a fund manager for a waiters' and waitresses' union in Newark, N.J. After moving to Mount Olive, N.J., Hilda began a new career as an instructional aide for special needs children at Tinc Road School in Flanders, N.J. Marcin often told her daughters that the worst day of her life was the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The energetic grandmother, widowed in 1979, loved to cook and entertain and is remembered as strong, independent, and organized. The oldest passenger on the plane, Marcin was traveling to live with her daughter in California for the winter months.

Waleska Martinez Born in Puerto Rico, Waleska Martinez, 37, of Jersey City, N.J., was the "backbone of the family," according to her father, Juan. With a business and computer science degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Martinez came to the States in 1987 to advance her career, but maintained close ties to her family. In 13 years with the U.S. Census Bureau, she rose from Clerk to Automation Specialist for the New York Region. On September 11, Martinez was traveling with co-worker Marion Britton to attend a conference in San Francisco. Martinez loved to cook Italian and Spanish foods for friends and family, played tennis and softball, and enjoyed concerts and dancing. She is survived by her parents, Juan and Irma, brother, Juan, Jr. and sister, Lourdes.

Nicole Carol Miller Nicole Carol Miller, 21, was a dean's list student at West Valley College in Saratoga, Calif. She held a part-time job as a waitress and taught fitness classes at a gym in her hometown of San Jose. Miller made an impulsive decision to fly to the East Coast to vacation with a friend. The couple toured Manhattan landmarks and New Jersey boardwalks and beaches before boarding separate flights to return home. A thunderstorm on the evening of September 10 forced Miller to re-schedule her flight to the next morning. She is survived by her parents and stepparents, David and Catherine Miller and Wayne and Cathy Stefani, and six siblings: Tiffney, David, Danielle, Wayne, Jr., Joshua, and Anthony.

Louis J. Nacke Travel was not a routine part of the job for Louis J. Nacke II, 42, the director of a huge New Jersey distribution center for Kay-Bee Toys. The one-day, last-minute business trip on September 11 took him away from his new wife, Amy, and their home under construction in New Hope, Pa. Nacke was a weightlifter with a Superman tattoo on his left arm who enjoyed fast cars and good wine, and loved Joseph and Louis, his teenage sons from his previous marriage. As a child, Nacke moved with his family many times, living in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York, graduating from high school in Philadelphia. "Joey", as his family knew him, was a loving son and a tough, no-nonsense big brother to his three siblings.

Donald Peterson Donald Peterson, 66, grew up in South Orange, N.J. and later earned degrees in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rutgers University. He also studied at Harvard. But he seldom mentioned his degrees or work history. He was retired as the President of Continental Electric Company in New Jersey. He met his wife Jean Hoadley Peterson, who was traveling with him on September 11, at a church group in the early 1980s. For the next 17 years, Peterson and his wife lived a life of quiet service to alcoholics and addicts, women with crisis pregnancies and residents of impoverished nations. On September 11, they'd planned to take a later flight to a family reunion at Yosemite National Park, but at the airport seized a chance to switch to less-crowded Flight 93. Peterson is survived by his three sons from a previous marriage: David, Hamilton and Royster.

Jean Hoadley Peterson On September 11, Donald Arthur and Jean Hoadley Peterson were traveling to Yosemite National Park for a vacation with Jean's brother and parents. Peterson, 55, had worked as a registered nurse and nursing instructor, and was a volunteer emergency medical technician. The couple's retirement years were spent in volunteerism and Don worked with men struggling with drug and alcohol dependency; Jean counseled women in crisis pregnancies. T In addition to her nursing degree from the University of Rochester, Jean held a Master's Degree in Education from Columbia University. Peterson is survived by her three daughters; Jennifer, Grace and Catherine.

Mark David Rothenberg Mark David Rothenberg, 52, of Scotch Plains, N.J., was an intense, successful businessman accustomed to frequent flights to Asia for his importing business, MDR Global Resources. He always flew first class and enjoyed conversing with people on the long international flights. He had an amazing memory for numbers and a mind like a calculator. Rothenberg was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. and graduated in 1970 from Franklin and Marshall College. "Mickey," as he was known to friends and family, had previously worked in the family glassware business, becoming the top salesman and eventual owner. Though he worked long hours, Rothenberg was devoted to his wife, Meredith, and two daughters, Rachel and Sara. On September 11, Rothenberg was traveling to Taiwan.

Christine Ann Snyder A Hawaii native, Christine Ann Snyder, 32, was a project manager and certified arborist for The Outdoor Circle, Hawaii's oldest non-profit environmental group. According to her family, the beautification of Hawaii was her profession, pride and joy. During her six years with The Outdoor Circle, Chris supervised volunteers in planting trees and worked to protect trees and landscapes from development. She held a degree in political science from the University of Hawaii. On September 11, she was returning from the National Urban Forestry Conference in Washington, D.C. and an impromptu, first-time visit to New York City. A connecting flight in San Francisco would have taken Snyder home to Kailua, Hawaii and her husband of just three months, Ian Pescaia.

John Talignani As a bartender and steward at Manhattan's Palm restaurants for 20 years, John Talignani, 74, met a fair share of celebrities. But the World War II Army veteran was down to earth, a family man dedicated to his late wife, Selma, and her three sons: Mitchell, Alan and Glenn. Talignani was born in Italy and grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y.. Talignani retired to Staten Island and loved following the New York Mets baseball team and making pizza for family gatherings, a holdover from his days of owning a pizzeria. The end of Talignani's life was doubly tragic: he and his stepsons Mitchell and Glenn boarded separate flights to California to attend a memorial service for Alan, who had been killed in an automobile accident while honeymooning in California.

Honor Elizabeth Wainio Two days before September 11, Honor Elizabeth Wainio, 27, returned from a long-awaited trip to Europe. Now, the Catonsville, Md. native was on her way to San Francisco for a company-wide business meeting for Discovery Channel Stores. After graduating from Towson University, "Lizz", as her friends called her, found her niche in retail, quickly rising from sales positions to management. After joining Discovery's retail division in 1999, she became a top-performing manager and was promoted to District Manager for New York and New Jersey. During the hijacking of Flight 93, Wainio phoned her stepmother, who recalls her words: "They're getting ready to break into the cockpit. I have to go. I love you. Good-bye." Elizabeth is survived by her parents and stepparents Ben Wainio, Esther Heymann, Mary and Jay White, and siblings Tom and Sarah.

Deborah Jacobs Welsh As the purser on Flight 93, Deborah Jacobs Welsh, 49, was assigned to First Class and was responsible for overseeing the flight attendants. With more than twenty-five years of experience with three airlines, she was well-qualified to handle the role. The six-foot tall Welsh was raised in Philadelphia, the eldest of six children. She loved to travel and embraced the cultures of the exotic places she visited. She cared deeply about animals, and was compassionate and thoughtful, delivering leftover airline meals and warm winter clothing to homeless people in the Manhattan neighborhood where she lived with her husband, Patrick.