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Maria Jakubiak Obituary
Kazimierz Jakubiak is uneasy about that urn of trade center ashes on a table in his Queens living room. "It's mixed with the people who did this," he said.
His wife, Maria, loved this house, had tried so hard "to get it just right." That brick fireplace? He had promised to build it by Christmas, and now he has. Next to it hangs a picture of the couple on a cruise in 1997, just before a flood engulfed her parents' house in Poland. "She was crushed," he said. "It was the house she was born in."
In 1989, the Jakubiaks had the chance to emigrate to either the United States or Canada. "I want to see the Statue of Liberty," she had said, and it was decided.
When their youngest was 3 — their boys are 11 and 16 now, their daughter, 17 — Maria Jakubiak itched to go to work. After studying English and receiving an associate's degree, she got an accounting job at Marsh & McLennan, later studying nights for a bachelor's degree. Everything was clicking.
In August, shaken by a ride in a plunging, out-of-control elevator, Ms. Jakubiak, 40, took a few days off. "You could quit," her husband had said. But she loved her job, and especially the co-workers who were fresh out of college.
"She was like a mother to them," he said. "It was her first job in the U.S., and she was proud of it."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
The Lucas Family
October 27, 2018
Sending our sincere condolences to your family. Always may God give the needed support and help as you continue to try to cope. Maria will be sadly missed and always fondly remembered.
Kathy Seale
January 22, 2018
So glad I got to know You What fun we had at my house in the pool with your kids and Jack and all the bbq we had . Till we meet again Always remember Apple Pie and Chevys
May 31, 2017
Grazyna Rozycki
July 28, 2017
I visited World Trade Centre Memorial on Maria's birthday and took a picture just because there was a white rose by her name. Now I have learned more about her as a person be reading her obituary and guest book entries. I would like to honor her Memory.
Grazyna Rozycka, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Friend Forever
May 23, 2014
Maria
What can i say after all these years? Sitting with you in college, then working with you. The stories of your children, teaching me modesty, taking the elevator down with you because you were nervous because the evelvator fell with you 2 weeks before. I really wish you didnt come bck to work after that incident. You were the mother of our group, you were so happy. Just coming back from Pairs. Thanks for all the treats you brought us, how can i forget the poppy seed bread. I love you Maria
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June 19, 2012
Marysiu twoj usmiech zawsz ma w swoich oczach. Marysiu ja bylam pod budynkiem i patrzalam sie na tragedie i nawet nie wiedzialam ze ty tam jestes. Przeszlam tragedie patrzac sie na palace sie budynki. O twojej ttragedi dowiedzialam sie z news Zawsze mam cie w swym sercu, usmiech ktory nie przemija. Grazyna Ch.
Mike Dalle
August 27, 2011
Maria,
I rode in your honor last weekend on the 9/11 motorcycle ride. Hope I did you proud.
October 4, 2010
Marysiu, I will never forget you, you will always stay in my thoughts. I will never forgot your true friendship. Always i my heart. Your friend Grazyna CH.
Doug Abraham
May 31, 2009
Happy belated Birthday!!!
Doug Abraham
May 31, 2008
Happy belated Birthday!!!
Doug Abraham
May 31, 2007
Happy belated Birthday!!!
P Tabbernor
November 17, 2006
In memory....
Kristine
October 31, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Caroline
September 11, 2006
Dear Maria
I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since that horrible day. You are very missed by so many, so many people here still love you and miss you very much. We will keep your memory alive always.
With so much love,
Caroline
Catherine Kozik
September 2, 2006
I will be thinking of you on this fifth anniversary of 9/11. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Pax Domini sit Semper Vobiscum
Caroline
March 24, 2006
Dear Maria
I know you're in a better place, but you went there too soon.....
I'm so sorry that you were a victim, I wish 9/11 never happened.
With love
Caroline
Leila Elvebakk
March 16, 2006
Maria, I miss you so much. It really hurts. You were like my sister, my mother and my friend. You should have never died!!!!!!!!!! I'm so hurt and angry. I love you.
Your friend, Leila
Leila Elvebakk
October 30, 2005
Maria, how I miss you..... it's unbelievable. I miss your smile, your encouraging words, your faith, your beautiful innocence! You were the BEST mother. Not one day goes by that I don't mourn for you. I pray your soul is at peace. I miss you so terribly!!!!
I love you, love your friend,
Leila
Leila Elvebakk
September 12, 2005
Maria, I miss you terribly. I know you're happy in heaven, but we all miss you here. Love, Leila
Caroline
September 12, 2005
Dear Maria
4 years later and I still miss you.....
When they read your name out, I closed my eyes and pictured you....if only this never happened.......
Love always
Caroline
Leila Elvebakk
August 11, 2005
Dear Maria, how I miss you. This world is just not the same without you in it. I wish you were here.
I love you.
Leila
Friend
May 16, 2005
Maria
My life has changed so much in so little time. I'm a wife and soon going to be a mother. I know what kind of mother I'll be, I'll be like you. You were a caring mother and your life revolved around your children, that's how I'll be.
I love you, and STILL miss you
XOXO
Caroline
September 10, 2004
Hi Maria
As I sit here at work, I thinking of you. I think about the wonderful person you were and the wonder Angel you must be. Three years later doesn't make it any easier, I still miss you very much. I still have the frame you bought me for my birthday, it has your picture in it. This still does not make sense. I'm still angry and still ask God why.
My thoughts drift back to our days in Berkeley College, here you were sitting in Economics, answering almost all of the questions. I thought to myself, "wow this lady is smart." Sometimes when you answered a question, you were even surprised you knew the answer. Who knew in time you would become my co-worker and friend and I would mourn your loss.
If only you stayed home that day.
May you always rest in peace.
With all my love,
Caroline
September 10, 2004
I love you Maria
August 12, 2004
Dearest Maria
I can only imagine where you are now, the memory of you sitting at your desk, surrounded by the pictures of your husband and children will never leave me.
That's what I would see when I walked in everyday, you sitting there smiling.
I would always look at the negative but you would always point out the positive.
You were happy for so many reason that summer of 2001. You lost so much weight and you were so excited that you fit in to your daughters pants.
I remember you couldn't stop talking about Paris and how excited you were about going with your daughter.
The way you left us is so unfair, you should have passed away while you were sleeping at the ripe old age of 100, surrounding by your children, grandchildren and maybe even great grandchildren.
My positive thoughts filter through you and your sweet memory, I admire you and love always.
July 28, 2004
Maria
What do you say after all this? All the things you will miss out on, all the things that could of been but never will. It makes me want to cry.
Caroline
June 10, 2004
Maria
I think about you a lot, not that I have to tell you because you already know.
With love
Caroline
forever friend
April 27, 2004
Dear Maria
The weather is changing; I know how much you liked the nice weather. The farmers market is where you spent much of your lunchtime. You liked the fresh produce; you said it reminded you of home.
You are and always will be part of my life and my memory.
Love you Maria
March 26, 2004
I miss you! I wish you could come back
Caroline
February 27, 2004
Maria, I look at the website and I still can't believe it, even after all this time it's still shocking. Knowing how much you loved life, It's just not fair. They keep listing your age as 41 but I remember we celebrated your birthday in May, you were 40. Remember when you said it was nice having a teenage daughter, because it was like you were growing together.
When LuLu came to visit, she was so taken by you. That was the first time I ever saw her so be comfortable with anyone. She ran and sat in your lap. I could not believe it, you showed her Chris' picture with such love. It's funny when they say kids could sense the good people. I still have that picture in my head. Time doesn't change a thing, I still think about you a lot.
I hope when I become a mother one day, I can be as good a mother as you were.
May you always rest in peace.
With love
Caroline
Leila Elvebakk
January 4, 2004
Maria, I miss you deeply and think about you all of the time. This world is not the same without you.
You are truly missed by so many people. God rest your beautiful soul.
Love,
Leila
Leila Elvebakk
September 11, 2003
Dearest Maria,
I miss you more than words can express. You will always remain in my heart. You were like a sister to me. I love you.
Leila
Caroline
September 11, 2003
Maria
Another year has passed, another year you are missed. I will never forget you. Wish you were still here
Caroline
XOXOXO
Caroline
September 13, 2002
Dear Maria
I just wanted to say how much I miss you! It hurts to think about how you left us, so I try and think about how it was when you were with us.
Always missing you
Caroline
September 10, 2002
BO MY NEDZNI, BIEDNI LUDZIE,
ZESTARZALI W GRZECHOW BRUDZIE.
PODAJ REKE, POWSTANIEMY,
PROS ZA NAMI, OZYJEMY,
A DOZNAWSZY TWEJ OPIEKI,
BEDZIEM Z TOBA ZYC NA WIEKI.
- O MARYJO, PRZYJM W OFIERZE
Leila Elvebakk
September 9, 2002
Dear Maria,
I just wanted to say again how much I miss you. I think of you all the time. You were so special to me and to so many others. You will never be forgotten. I love you, your friend, Leila
Anonymous
September 3, 2002
Dear Maria
I can't believe you've been an Angel for a year now. How I wish I could take your place, have you here with your family and friends. Because of you I learned to be a better person, friend and co-worker. I will never get over your death, I would do anything to get you back home. When you died a piece of me died with you, I felt and still feel like I lost my mother. I can't wait to see you again. I love you and miss you always for the rest of my days.
Leila Elvebakk
May 6, 2002
I had the honor of going to college with Maria and also working with her at Marsh & McLennan for over 5 years. Maria was like an older sister or mother to me. She always had a beautiful smile. Maria was comforting and understanding. She loved her husband and three children more than anything and was so proud of them. I think about Maria everyday and my pain has not lessened. It was nice to read the other entries from the woman who stitched a patch in her name and from the woman who wears a bracelet in her name as well. It touches me greatly. Thank you.
Maria, many lives will never be the same without you. I love you. Leila
Angie Campbell
May 2, 2002
May God Bless you and keep you forever more.
Phyllis Swanson
April 16, 2002
I did not know Maria personally, but made a quilt square in her memory for the 911 Memorial quilt. I felt I knew her a little as I sewed the square, and wished I'd known her personally. Her smile was priceless. I was honored to work on this tiny tribute and it gave me time to pray for her and her family. I hope there is a small amount of comfort knowing people care and love her, even those she never met. God bless you all always. Phyllis
February 5, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL WOMAN MARIA JAKUBIAK AND MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS ..STAY CLOSE AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA ..NEW YORK AND THE GOOD PEOPLE FROM POLAND.MAY THE BLESSED MOTHER MARIA GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Caroline
January 26, 2002
I knew Maria from college and was lucky enough to work with her. She was like a mother to all of us in the Treasury department at Marsh. She was always a happy person and helped out anyone who was behind on their work. I could go to her with any problem and she would help me solve it. I know she's an angel with God looking down on all of us.
Maria, you will always be in my heart.
Caroline
Kasia Banasik
January 1, 2002
Maria was like an aunt to me, maybe even like a mom. She was a person that had a smile on her face no matter what the circumstance. I miss that smile and the way it lit up a room. It was horrible to say goodbye to Maria because her time on Earth had come to an end, but I know that we will all meet with her eventually, and have her smile warm our days eternally.
Teresa Jahn
December 28, 2001
We are deeply sorry for your loss of Maria. Such a wonderful smile must be a reflection of a happy heart. May Maria's smile, life and love live on in those who love her. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Hanna Szkiladz
December 15, 2001
Prosze przyjac najglebsze wyrazy wspolczucia i kondolencje. Nie mialam okazji poznac Pani Marii ale los tak zrzadzil, ze moja znajoma byla w tej samej spadajacej windzie w World Trabe Center w sierpniu. Prosze Boga o opieke nad Wami.
Elizabeth Evans
December 10, 2001
To the family of Maria Jakubiak,
You have my deepest sympathies. I am wearing a bracelet bearing her name and I pray for your family
daily.
May God Bless You.
Your loved one has not been forgotten and will remain in my heart,thoughts and prayers.
With Love,
Elizabeth Evans
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