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Voices of 9/11: Catherine Marshall

The first in a series of interviews with New Yorkers whose lives were affected by the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks

By Lauren Johnston | amNewYork.com

September 4, 2006

Catherine Marshall, with her second child

Catherine Marshall had been working as an editor at Lehman Brothers on the 38th floor of the north tower for only six weeks when the planes hit on Sept. 11, 2001.

"I could feel it. My cubicle walls vibrated," she said. She grabbed her keys and wedding planner before evacuating she was to be married a week later.

Now a new mom for the second time, the 37-year-old Floral Park resident spoke to amNew York about her experience.

What do you remember about evacuating?

People were concerned. People were scared. We had heard the tower had been hit, but it wasn't the panic or run-for-your-lives you would expect. We felt a little bit of a vibration and the lights flickered. Someone said the second tower was hit.

What did you see when you got outside?
You could see all the glass that had been blown out. That was the first time that I could look up and see the tower on fire. I did not have an overly traumatic experience. I saw some things I didn't necessarily want to see, but five years later it's dissipated

Did you consider postponing your wedding?
No. It was a moment to celebrate the good. We got married in Vermont. We did decide to postpone the honeymoon. It was supposed to be a cruise through Greece, Turkey and Italy.

How do you feel now walking past the WTC site?
I walk past almost every day and it's a constant reminder of what was there and isn't there anymore. My office now is in Jersey City. The biggest shock for me was when I took the PATH train. It pulls directly into basically the hole. That kind of hit me hard.

Since 9/11 you've had two kids. How will you tell them about your experience?
My oldest son will be 3 and the youngest is five weeks. I wonder what they'll learn in school. By the time they're in school, it will be part of American history for them and their mom will have lived through it.

How did the experience change you?
One of the lessons that sticks with me from that time is actually more of a positive thing. People act sometimes like they are afraid to do things. I really just try to live my life and try to enjoy the day. I was very, very lucky on 9/11.