Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
Kindness to a Stranger
Ruth Sigmund loves the story her daughter Johanna's friends tell of how she used to joke around at field hockey practices at Fairfield University. "After hours of practice, she would do a little dance and just crack everybody up," her mother said. "She would keep up everybody's spirits."
Johanna Sigmund, 25, ran in the New York Marathon, blared Janet Jackson and U2 at all-night parties, bought meals for a homeless couple who lived near her and regularly cooked breakfast for her three roommates. Her friendliness and ease served her well in her job as a liaison to investors at Fred Alger Management.
Not long after Sept. 11, a stranger wrote to her parents. The letter writer had been thrown out of a taxi after it collided with a car in Hoboken. The taxi driver sped off, leaving the woman on the street, bleeding. Johanna Sigmund rushed over, cleaned the woman up, took her to the emergency room and held her hand while she had stitches.
"I saw Johanna's picture on a Web site recently, and I immediately recognized her as the angel that helped me out that night," the woman wrote. "I lost many friends in the Sept. 11 tragedy. I now add Johanna's name to my list of friends in heaven."
I just happened to see your photo sitting at your desk at Fred Alger. You worked with my fiance Peter Frank. I remember your name. We will never forget.
Karen Carlucci
June 03, 2025 | NEW YORK, NY
Dear Johanna,
I'm just a Kurdish stranger from Turkey who share his feelings. We've just visited 9/11 memorial museum last week. After the visit I did some research about the impact zone at the North Tower, suddenly I've seen your picture when you were at your desk smiling like an angel with the manhattan view in background. I said wow, this is such a pretty picture and view.. till I see the comment below that's where the exact impact zone was. I felt so bad and had a lump in my throat....
KAYA
March 05, 2025 | WI
Johanna, I can´t believe it´s been 22 years and yet I think of you often, I never met you but it feels like I did and that´s a honor I will cherish forever, RIP beautiful
Mary Raco
September 11, 2023 | Other
Dear Johanna!
You will always remain in our thoughts and prayers on this day of remembrance.
Sadly Missed!
Dee & Family
September 11, 2021
RIP angel, gone but never forgotten
Mary Raco
September 10, 2021 | Ridley Park, PA | Acquaintance
IT'S BEEN 19 YEARS FROM THAT SADDEST OF DAYS, I THINK OF YOU OFTEN, YOU MIGHT BE GONE FROM OUR PRESENCE BUT YOUR SPIRIT & LIFE WILL LIVE FOREVER, GOD BLESS YOU MY PRECIOUS HERO!
Mary Raco
September 11, 2020 | Friend
Dearest Johanna...You remain in our thoughts and prayers on this day of remembrance. We will never forget.
Dee and Family
September 11, 2020
SHE'S MY HERO, GOD BLESS YOU ANGEL, I WILL NEVER FORGET!
Mary Raco
January 18, 2020 | Cape May, NJ | Acquaintance
johanna is still dearly missed and always remembered. Sending our deep sympathy to your family. May God continue to give his support each day.
The Kindred Family
January 17, 2020
