Search by Name

Search by Name

Laura Gilly Obituary

The Joy in Her Voice
For nine years, Laura Gilly traveled the world, all expenses paid; a perk from her life as a flight attendant. She saw Paris, she saw Rome, indulged in the exotic sights and sounds of Egypt, Jakarta and Kuwait.

But the thrill of being up in the air, away from family and friends eventually subsided. Ms. Gilly wanted out of her job with Tower Airlines. "She wanted a 9-to-5, so she could make plans without breaking them," said Phyllis Gilly, her mother. "So many times she wasn't home for Christmas or New Year's. She was really looking forward to stability."

And 16 months ago, she found it in a job working in technical support for Cantor Fitzgerald. Life was finally sweet and somewhat predictable, and Ms. Gilly, 32, was enjoying every minute of it, her mother said, recalling a phone conversation she had with her daughter weeks before Sept. 11.

The joy Mrs. Gilly heard in her daughter's voice has made it all the more difficult accepting the irony of her death. "We spent so much time worrying about her flying here and there, and to have her go like this: killed by a plane as she sat in an office building. All she wanted was a real job at a desk in a building."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Watertown Tab & Press on Oct. 12, 2001.

Memories and Condolences
for Laura Gilly

Not sure what to say?





JS

October 5, 2024

You are never forgotten, your smile lasts forever!

Erin Stever

September 10, 2024

I don't know that I ever met you, but my dad knew you. You are still remembered

Thomas Dandrea

May 22, 2024

Thomas Dandrea

May 21, 2024

I never knew Laura, but I was given this Button with Laura`s name on it from my place of employment at the time. I read all about her. She sounded like a wonderful person that I wish I got to meet..... but I do have this button in memory of her. So sorry for your loss sincerely Tom Dandrea

John Soltys

May 30, 2022

I will never forget your smile!

Jim Zock

September 13, 2021

We will always remember You.

Ian McDonald

September 12, 2021

I am just a bereaved stranger that didn't know at the time what or who I lost.

Margaret Kelly

September 12, 2021

20 years, but your smile is embedded on the hearts of all who knew you. Forever in our hearts ♥ R.I.P

Christine F

September 12, 2020

I remember Laura from PS 97. She was super popular and one of the prettiest girls there. Rest In Peace, Laura.

Dorene Mormile-Ruocco

September 11, 2020

Laura thinking of you and hoping you are at peace and looking down on us all. Bright beautiful light.

John Mormile

September 11, 2020

Remembering You Laura Gilly - bright and beautiful.

A Canadian

January 24, 2020

Laura didn't die in vain that morning in Lower Manhattan..
Rest in peace.....

John Soltys

September 6, 2018

I always remember you and your smile. Thank you.

Margaret Kelly

September 11, 2017

16 years, but your smile is embedded on the hearts of all who knew you. Forever in our hearts ♥ R.I.P

September 12, 2016

Remembering you and your family. 15 years - seems like yesterday - God Bless you

Debbie DeMello Horskey

September 11, 2016

15 years later, Never forgotten..... R.I.P. Laura

September 11, 2016

You are missed

John S

September 10, 2016

I will always remember you. Mostly your smile. Never forgotten.

Margaret

September 12, 2015

Rest in Peace Laura

September 11, 2015

You were a light in my life.

giusy sici

September 11, 2015

a te e alla piccola che portavi i grembo , eterno riposo nella pace e nella gioia di Dio

Debbie DeMello Horskey

September 10, 2015

Thinking of you and sending prayers to your family during this difficult time of the year. You are not forgotten..... Shine bright Gilly Girl <3

Dorene Mormile

September 3, 2015

Thinking of you. May you be bringing smiles to all around you in heaven.

Margaret K

September 12, 2014

?? Rest in peace Laura

September 11, 2014

Your pictured smile remains a light in a dark world, even on this anniversary of your passing. May the memories of the love and joy you provided others, be a comfort to your loved ones. You are remembered. Your life celebrated. God bless your family

karen manning

September 11, 2014

Today in Tulare Ca. I donated blood in the memory of Laura Gilly. Rest in Peace. You are not forgotten.

September 11, 2014

God bless you. Gilly girl.

September 10, 2014

Always remembered Gilly Girl

john Soltys

November 6, 2013

I will never forget you, especially the first day I met you outside of John Dewey HS.

Noreen Duggan

September 11, 2013

Godbless u Laura I know you are making all the angels smile with you're infectious laughter and smile thinking of you miss ya

September 11, 2013

</3 Always in our hearts

Margaret Kelly

September 10, 2013

It's hard to believe its been 12 years. May you continue to Rest in Peace Laura, you are missed.

catherine scafidi

September 9, 2013

You will ALWAYS be remembered<3

John Benmoshe

September 17, 2012

Laura you were an angel on earth and an angel in heaven...

Randy Knepp

September 14, 2012

Miss you, Laura

September 14, 2012

Miss you, Laura.

Lori Elgazzar

September 13, 2012

God rest your soul sweet Laura. I remember flying with you though we didn't get to know each other very well. May you be smiling for eternity in heaven.

Manisha Dabhi

September 12, 2012

Laura-You will never be forgotten. Bless you

Jim Zock

September 12, 2012

Hearing your name announced annually and searching for it on tribute flags still brings sighs of sadness and prayers for you, your friends, and family.

Linda Scura

September 12, 2012

Blessings, you are so missed!!!

Noreen Duggan

September 11, 2012

Miss you laura I know you make the angels sing

Teresa

September 11, 2012

You are not forgotten and always in our hearts. RIP

Anita Thompson

September 11, 2012

God Bless you Laura. I never did get to meet you during our flying days with Tower. I had already left the company. My heart broke when I found out that one of our Family Member ' Flight Attendant was no longer with us. You are love'd by many. Now with the Angel's~ GB Anita

pat

September 11, 2012

Rest in peace,miss you.

September 11, 2012

God Bless you Love Dorene Mormile-Ruocco (Brooklyn, NY)

September 11, 2012

Rest in peace LAURA

Rick Beehner

September 11, 2012

Laura we Tower Pilots will never forget you.

Mags Kelly

September 11, 2012

I can't believe it's been 11 years! I'm so glad I got to know you at Tower, what a special lady you are!!! Rest in Peace Laura <3

Lisa Matarasso-House

September 11, 2012

I will never forget your infectious laugh! You will will forever be in my thoughts and prayers...God Bless your soul and the 3000= that perished with you!

September 11, 2012

Always in our hearts and memories x Len

John Mahoney

September 11, 2012

Hi Laura - I just wanted to say that I was thinking about you this morning. I'm just about to get ready to do another day on the Street. I just wanted to say that I always thought you were brilliant & beautiful. Working with you at Cantor Fitzgerald was a pleasure. You girls worked your tails of for the Firm. I miss the laughs, the views & all the good that was.. please send my love to Sue Pinto see ya one day.. John Mahoney

Christine Whartenby

September 10, 2012

Laura I still think of you every year. You were a shining light in so many lives! I will never forget your smile!

June 13, 2012

DEAR LAURA, I AM SO SORRY THAT WE NEVER MET, I KNOW WE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FRIENDS. MY HEART IS BROKEN THAT WE WILL NEVER MEET HERE, BUT MAYBE SOMEDAY... YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART.
ALL MY LOVE TO YOU IN HEAVEN.
YOUR AUNT DIANE

NOREEN DUGGAN

September 15, 2011

HI LAURA I MISS YOU AND THINK OF YOU ALL THE TIME YOU WORKING MID GALLEY WITH PHYLISS AND ME AFT GALLEY LAUGHING BACK AND FORTH I DONT KNOW WHICH ONE OF WAS WORSE BUT I KNOW YOU ARE AN ANGEL UP THERE WATCHING OVER ALL OF US AND YOUR FAMILY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TILL WE MEET AGAIN LOVE NOR

9/11 Memorial location of Laura's name....more info at www.911memorial.org

Jason Johnson

September 14, 2011

I flew with you couple of times....can't remember where to but I do remember you making us laugh hysterically. Recently saw your name on a mail label make shift memorial in the 14th Street tunnel on a subway tile with almost 3,000 others that connects the 4,5,6 train at Union Square to the L train at the same station Union Square and was instantly reminded about the couple of times we flew together. I am glad now that there is a true and formal memorial to remember all those who perished on 9/11. May you Rest In Peace for all eternity and may your family and friends continue to gather strength with each passing day and be comforted by the many fond and loving memories they have of you.

Jason Johnson

Kerri Scala

September 14, 2011

I will never forget your laugh...the fun I had with you. All my love to your family for the incredible loss of such a beautiful person. I think of you often.

September 14, 2011

Over 10 years and I remember the distinctive tone of your voice like it was yesterday ... Always in our hearts xx

Margaret Kelly

September 13, 2011

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years already. Rest in Peace Laura, your smile and laughter will always be in our hearts!

Tina Peppas

September 12, 2011

This morning I spoke to Jennny (the little pooch) in Greek and English and I stared to laugh. Every time I did that and you would hear me you would say" Peppas your dog is the only bi-lingo dog that I know of" and you would start to laugh. Girl I miss you so much and think about you all the time.
xoxox

Josh Jennings

September 11, 2011

So, I went to CNN's site of names, and I randomly chose one and the first one I clicked on was Laura Gilly. I don't know her, never met her, but I'm going to leave a tribute to her. "Whatever happened to you was meant to be, there is nothing at this point neither of us could change. I just pray that such a happy looking soul such as yourself is resting in peace" - Josh Jennings 09/11/2011

Lilyan Borrelli

September 11, 2011

I still can't believe it's been 10 years since you left. You are forever in our hearts and prayers.

Karen Hennessy-Craig

September 11, 2011

I will always remember that great laugh and the twinkle in your eye. You are deeply missed. God Bless you, and your family.

Aurelio Zaino

September 11, 2011

i will always remember your beatuiful smile

Jim Zock

September 11, 2011

Laura, Our prayers continue for you and your family and friends.

John Marsh

September 11, 2011

Miss my partner in troublemaking at tower...so many wonderful memories!

Christine Fajen

September 11, 2011

I went to PS 97 with Laura. She was def one of the prettiest girls...a girl you envied. I will never forget (the things u remember as a kid) her super tight jeans, and how I wished I could look like that. All the boys liked her. I recently moved bak to the neighborhood and saw the sign on the street on West 13th and knew that she had died on 9/11. My heart, prayers and good memories go out to her and her family. We will never forget her.

Tinaka Hobson

September 11, 2011

R.I.P Laura......

Sandy Reed Bottino

September 11, 2011

I did not know you well, but flew with you often on Tower Air--especially the long trips to Greece and Korea. You were always smiling! Rest in Peace.

Suzanne Young

September 11, 2011

Your smile lives on in the hearts and memories of your family and friends, God bless you Laura.

Gregg Smith

September 11, 2011

It's amazing that it has been 10 years. It's also amazing how often I think about Laura. So many, many good memories of times spent together.
Many positive thoughts and prayers to her family every day, but especially today on such a difficult anniversary.

EMILY MADURO

September 11, 2011

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERERED WITH LOT OF LOVE.

Gregory Noone

September 11, 2011

With love and peace from FF

Lisa Fittanto

September 10, 2011

Laura I always hope all the love we all have for you will somehow comfort your family, but I know nothing ever will until they see you again. I am very blessed to have worked with you, laughed with you and been friends with you. My memories of your smiling face make me very happy but missing you makes me incredibly sad. I know you are smiling down on us. Till we meet again my friend!

PETER TIERNAN

September 3, 2011

I WAS AN ESCORTING POLICE OFFICER ON THIS YEARS AMERICAS 9-11 FOUNDATION RIDE EVERY RIDER WAS GIVEN A CARD OF SOMEONE WHO DIED THAT DAY. I WAS HONORED TO RIDE FOR LAURA THOSE THREE DAYS,MAY WE NEVER FORGET GOD BLESS

Donald Wecklein

August 14, 2011

Laura, it's hard to fathom that you've been gone for 10 years in just a few weeks. You'll always be remembered and missed. Someday we'll all be hanging out together in the eternal crew lounge.. Till then, may you be at peace in heaven with God.

Sabrina Wlodarski Vaziri

September 11, 2010

May your family read all of these posts and know how many people's lives you touched.

Donald Wecklein

September 11, 2010

Tragedy took you away from us on 9-11, and on this day, I feel sad for you and the loved ones left behind. Yet I remember you and the happiness and joy you brought to those who knew you.
God bless you, Laura.. May you be at peace in His kingdom and know you will forever be remembered by those who knew you.
Till we meet again in the afterlife...

September 11, 2010

You will always be missed and remembered with love.

September 11, 2010

Oh, Laura! You will always be loved and remembered!

Larry Struck

September 11, 2010

I remember you soo well, Laura, from our flights together at Tower. God bless you, and your family. We all share in their loss.

Debbie Costello

September 11, 2010

Laura...I miss you so much and all of the great times we had together. We had alot of fun through the years at Tower. I feel blessed to have known you. You never had the chance to meet my daughter but I tell her she has a guardian angel watching over her. God bless you "Gilly Girl"..
Debbie Costello

Phyllis Fribourg-Priegue

September 11, 2010

Laura,

It's now nine long years since you have left us.... So much has changed in this world and in our lives. However, our love for you remains the same. We love you now as much as we did before that fateful day....

As always, I will be with your mom at Ground Zero. Know that you will never be forgotten and I will always be there for her. I love and miss you everyday.... Rest in peace, Gilly Girl...

Love,
Phyllis

kerri scala

September 10, 2010

Lau

Laura
I'll never forget your laugh, it was the kind that was contagious. Even now with the reminder of 9/11 and the loss of you I still hear it and smile. Every year it reminder me how much you made people smile.
Kerri Scala

September 10, 2010

I miss your laughter.

Len Romeo

September 9, 2010

Gilly Girl,
For everyone who ever was blessed to have known you, your light still shines brightly ...

Debbie DeMello

September 7, 2010

Just thinking about you....... As I do and probably will every year at this time for the rest of my day's. Still can't believe what happened even after 10 years. I am so sorry for your family's loss and for the families of everyone lost in this awful tragedy. Hope you are doing well in Heaven. You will be remembered as you lived your life lovingly and fondly. We will never forget.

November 24, 2009

Wow...how fast 8+ years has past. Laura you will always hold a special place in my heart. I think of how we were just kids hangin out laughing... and how you always had a smile that was a glow. It's a shame to know that you were one of the angels taken from us on 911...but your personality will live on in all the people that you touched in your life...you have made me a stronger person... that can deal with the world we live in. I know god had special plans for you because he took such a special person from us so early. You should know that even though you are in heaven, you are right here on earth living in the hearts of the people that meant the most to you. Rest in peace. Love, Ricky

Lorrie Glass

September 11, 2009

Dear Gilly Family,

I've known Laura's mom for sometime and I know that Laura was her pride and joy. Every year my prayers go out to the Gilly family and I hope and pray that you are doing well.

Tom Manfre

September 11, 2009

Dear Laura,
I still remember the 1st day i met you back in may of 1994 in belmar NJ, the brash, young feisty girl from brooklyn whom i grew to know as a great friend with a heart of gold. I think about you alot and the times we had in belmar down the shore and up at hunter mountain also. Its so sad now that youve gone but you touched alot of peoples lives in a good way and that is and allways will be YOUR legacy. Anyone who knew you would surely agree whole heartedly. We miss you.

Phyllis Fribourg Priegue

September 9, 2009

Laura,

It's 8 long years since you have left us. I will once again be at Ground Zero with your Mom. I don't need the anniversary to remember you, you are remembered, loved and missed by me everyday. I still wear the bracelet your brother gave me bearing your name every single day-without fail. You are always with me in all of my travels around the world.... Rest in peace, my friend....

Love,
Phyllis

Scott Weems

February 28, 2009

To the family and friends of Laura. Although over seven years had passed, I was just recently informed of Laura's loss that terrible day when I visited Jordan's for the first time in year's. Our paths had crossed when we both worked at Jordan's in Sheepshead bay many years ago. May you rest in peace dear Laura, and may each year bring nothing but comfort to those you knew and loved and those who knew and loved you. Rest softly.

Eyal Lev

January 1, 2009

Laura, you always be close to my heart.

Scott Bessette

December 8, 2008

Never forget being in Thailand for 3 weeks with her. What an experience. Especially the drives from the Hotel in Patya to the Airport. Listening To Peter Gabriel "In Your Eyes"..She had a terrible voice, but would sing her heart out...To this day whenever I hear that song I think of Laura!!!God Bless her...What a girl!!! Love her and Miss her!!!

Fernando Paladines

December 6, 2008

Dear laura, no matter where you are, always think of you and they great times we had...just know you are missed..thanks for the great and fun times we shared. peace

Showing 1 - 100 of 156 results

Make a Donation
in Laura Gilly's name

Memorial Events
for Laura Gilly

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Laura's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Laura Gilly's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored