Newton, Massachusetts
Taking Miss J to Disneyland
They were best friends, close as sisters, and they were headed to California. Paige Farley- Hackel, and Ruth McCourt were going to fly from Boston together on United Airlines Flight 175, but when Ms. Farley- Hackel realized she could use frequent flyer miles, she got a ticket for American Airlines Flight 11 instead. Ms. McCourt, who was flying with her 4-year-old daughter, Juliana, and Ms. Farley-Hackel said goodbye in the early morning hours at Logan International Airport in Boston on Sept. 11, and boarded their planes.
The women had planned on meeting in Los Angeles and taking Juliana to Disneyland. Ms. Farley-Hackel's plane was hijacked and struck the north tower of the World Trade Center. Ms. McCourt's and Juliana's flight, hijacked as well, crashed into the south tower shortly thereafter.
The mother and daughter would have been a striking pair sitting together, said Ms. McCourt's mother, Paula Clifford Scott, what with Ms. McCourt's long red hair and Juliana's blond locks. She was only 4, but already Juliana, nicknamed Miss J, displayed a little sense of wit.
"And she was a nurturer like her mother," Ms. Scott said.
Ruth McCourt, who was 45 and a homemaker from New London, Conn., met Ms. Farley-Hackel at the day spa she used to own in Boston. She gave up the business when she got married six years ago, but the friendship lasted. The two women often traveled together. They shared passions for reading and cooking and learning new things.
Ms. Farley-Hackel, who was 46 and a writer and motivational speaker from Newton, Mass., was looking forward to having the first few episodes of her new radio program, "Spiritually Speaking," hit the airwaves. She had a dream: in two years or so, she wanted to either be featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" or be Oprah's biggest rival, said her husband, Allan Hackel.
Recently, the Oprah show included a memorial segment about Ms. Farley-Hackel's friendship with Ms. McCourt and Juliana.
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 13, 2001.
Paige Farley Hackel, 46, of Newton: Budding spiritual counselor since entering substance abuse recovery 16 years ago. Hackel was going to California to talk with producers of a radio program she hoped to host, to be called Spiritually Speaking. She leaves behind her husband of eight years, Allan Hackel, owner of an advertising and bartering firm.
Paige worked for my mother at The Skill Bureau in Boston, when she was in her 20s. My mother used to talk about her: She loved working with Paige and actually just loved her. My parents went to her memorial service after 9/11. I remember my mother saying how touched she was that Paige had grown so much in her life in the years since they had known one another. I am sending warm thoughts to her friends and family. Jan Levine
Jan Levine
September 11, 2024
We will never forget. Rest in peace.
Christina
June 22, 2024
I went to the same high school as Paige, but we were not in the same class year. I spoke with her only briefly and casually a few times. I did not know her after high school, and it was only by chance that I learnt of her death. I am happy that she became the wonderful woman that people describe her as, and am heartbroken that she was taken so early and unjustly from all those who loved her.
John Pagliaro
September 11, 2021 | West Roxbury, MA | Acquaintance
Remembering Paige on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
Cindy Roe
September 11, 2021 | Galesburg, MI
Paige Marie Farley was my cousin; Actually her Mom Margie-Ann (Fitzgerld) Farley was my cousin, but since Margie was much older than me, her kids, Patrick, Michael and Paige, the baby, were much closer in age to me so we were the cousins, ... we all grew up in Framingham and over the years kept in touch. A couple of weeks before Page died, she and Allan threw a wonderful surprise birthday party for her Mom, Margie Ann , at their home in Newton, and it was as usual a teriffic Fitzgerald...
Dick Sullivan
September 11, 2021 | Salt Lake City, UT | Family
In the late 1980s, I worked for Paige’s mom, Marjorie Farley at the Tufts Univ conference bureau & I had the pleasure of meeting Paige several times when she visited her mother at work - I remember a woman with incredible energy, confidence and kindness to a young college student. Her family and friends remain in my prayers every year since 9/11.
Susana Eloy de Vitale
September 11, 2021 | Chicago, IL | Acquaintance
Paige was a wonderful daughter to an extraordinary mother- Marjorie Farley. Thinking of them both today.
marge schiller
September 10, 2021 | Hingham, MA | Friend
I just read today the story of Paige's gratitude list on a 9/11 memorial facebook page. I also have been writing a Gratitude list and been clean and sober for over 8 months. This is one of the most if not the most inspirational things I have ever seen on social media. May she rest in Eternal Peace and may G_D rest her soul.
Chris M
July 01, 2021
What a moving story. Although we've never met, she sounds like such a joyous person to be around. Sometimes grief can come in the most surprising ways, but there is always a way to get through it. I will be praying for all who were impacted by this tremendous loss. God bless everyone on this emotional, moving day.
Hannah
September 11, 2020 | Saint Louis, MO
