Yonkers, New York
A Conference and a Call
On the Monday night before the terrorist attack, Joanna Vidal, a 26-year- old event coordinator for Risk Waters, the London- based financial publishing house, was ecstatic. The first day of the company's conference at Windows on the World, an event she had helped create, had been a brilliant success. And at dinner with her father, Enrique, and her mother, Lesbia, in their Yonkers home, "she was so hurried, making her preparations, that she was eating standing up," Mr. Vidal recalled.
In fact, the first day had gone so smoothly that Ms. Vidal was hoping to leave the conference after the first speaker; after all, so much work was waiting on her desk in her office at 270 Lafayette Street. And so on Tuesday morning she hurried to the trade center at 5:30 a.m. After the attack, "she called from the conference and said the building was on fire," Mr. Vidal said. "She said, `I want you to know that no matter what happens, I love you.' And then she was cut off."
Jo, thank you for allowing me to talk about you to my friends and family. Your friendship in and out of school made my kids understand " Never Forget Sept. 11"
ANTHONY DOWNING
September 12, 2025
24 years!!! We miss you & Love Joanna, we will never forget.
Doesn’t matter how long has passed this will never get easy. R.I.P. my girl
Evelyn Hernandez
September 11, 2025 | New York, NY | Family
Hi Jo, it’s been 23 years and I just wanted to say not a day goes by that I don’t think about you. I still have your letters and pictures. Your silly jokes & radiate smile will always live in Our Hearts & Memories.
Anthony Downing
September 11, 2024 | Manhattan, NY | Friend
Hey Joanna pensando en ti
Raúl DeLaRosa
May 10, 2022
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Joanna was a lovely young woman who I met whilst working at the New York City Bar Association.
Anita Wrightsman
September 11, 2020 | Coworker
It's been 18 years and I still can't believe you're gone. You were a great mentor to me while I was in the thurgood Marshall program. I wish more kids had a chance to meet you and see the beautiful person you were. SIP Joanna
Stephanie Mitchell
September 11, 2019 | BROOKLYN, NY | Friend
Rest peacefully, Joanna.
Alex lai
July 18, 2019
Didn't write anything this week but I miss you everyday!
-Raúl
Raul DeLaRosa
September 15, 2016
FIFTEEN YEARS, I can't believe it's been fifteen years, the pain feels like it was just yesterday, yet it seems like forever since we lost you. How on earth is it that those of us who had the privilege of sharing your portion of space-time, who loved and cherished you, had hopes and dreams for you...how have we been able to survive with the huge, gaping hole that was ripped into our hearts fifteen years ago today? I miss the sound of your voice, the warmth of your smile, the joy with which...
FABIOLA HENRIQUEZ
September 15, 2016 | NY