Family and friends remember the alumni lost on September 11
Hail and Farewell

On September 11, 2001, close to 5,000 people were killed when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By the following month, families of 13 alumni had notified Princeton of their deaths in the terrorist strikes. What follows are their stories, told by friends who knew them and loved them.

Catherine F. MacRae ’00

How do you capture Cat in words? Impossible. How do you capture Cat in memories? As her roommate, you remember how Cat would leave flowers on your pillow along with a note expressing her love and loyalty. As her fellow Ivy member, you remember how Cat would light up the dinner table with her charm and self-deprecating wit. As her friend, you remember how Cat would ensure you received an invitation to every party she attended. As her squash teammate, you recall the match Cat won an hour after being drenched with champagne when she received a bid from Ivy. As her classmate, you remember the study snacks Cat would prepare for you. As her partner in life, you remember Cat’s infinite love. Most of all, as her family, you remember how Cat would give the world to spend one more hour with you.

Catherine Fairfax MacRae was a research analyst at Fred Alger Management on the 93rd floor of World Trade Center One. Only a year into her career, Cat had already passed Level One of the Chartered Financial Analyst Exam and was on the fast track to a promising future at the investment house. This was hardly surprising, as Cat always adhered to the highest of standards and did so without the slightest hint of pretension. She had the uncanny ability to achieve excellence with grace, style, and a sense of humor. If you had to sum up Cat in one word it would be love. Love for her family. Love for her friends. Love for humankind. Love for God. Though she was only given 23 years on this earth, she gave back so much more.

Cameron MacRae ’63 describes his daughter as “bright and beautiful, gentle and kind . . . the epitome of all that is good in the world.” This sentiment was clearly shared by the throngs of family, Princetonians, and other friends who journeyed in stormy weather to Cat’s memorial service at St. Andrew’s Dune Church, nestled in the sand dunes of Southampton, New York. Just before the service began, the rain subsided and the 40-mile-an-hour gusts settled down into a gentle breeze. And during the service, as the speakers recalled Cat’s boundless love and generosity, sunlight flooded the church in a way church parishioners had never witnessed. It was Cat’s love once again.

By Andrew Caspersen ’99