MrsGreenThumb

I am a lover of horticulture, gardening and the environment. At age 8, I sent away for a package of Zinnia seeds for 10 cents and I've been hooked ever since. After 25 years of being self-employed, I retired. That only lasted 4 years and I now work in a water conservation program: I buy grass from homeowners who are willing to convert to desert landscaping and lose that thirsty green stuff. I pursue what interests me and you can blame my sister for getting me into this blogging thing.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

A Tribute to Catherine A. Nardella, a 9/11 victim

I volunteered to write a tribute to Catherine A. Nardella on the 5th anniversary of her death. This is a project started by Bloggers to honor the innocent victims of that awful day...

I only know of Catherine through comments left on various websites. She was a person we would all be proud to know. She was brilliant, beautiful, gentle and loving. Her grieving sisters and niece made reference to her generous nature, her ever-present smile and the way she gave of herself to her family and community. High school friends grieve for her and co-workers gave the warmest assessment of her attitude and friendliness. She impacted many lives and is remembered by many as a very special person.

Her parents must have been so proud of Catherine. She was caring and giving, never expecting anything in return. From a large Italian-American family, one can only imagine the empty place in their hearts that can never be filled.

Catherine always strived to be a better person. She was active at her church and lent a helping hand to those in need. In particular, her priest spoke of her waiting each Sunday to help an elderly man down the stairs of the church. She was devoted to the church choir and she participated as a lector in the services. She was an individual who lived her best life. Catherine Nardella chose the person she wanted to be. Her loss is a loss to all of us.

32 Comments:

Blogger Auntie Lyn said...

MGT, Thank you for sharing Catherine Nardella with us. Such a light shines thru her eyes. I'm sure the heavens are a little brighter with her smile. I will be remembering Catherine, her family and friends in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Auntie Lyn

September 07, 2006 8:48 PM  
Blogger Motherkitty said...

Lovely tribute. Thanks for doing this. I have put my tribute up on my site.

September 08, 2006 3:17 AM  
Blogger Cathy said...

Thank you for the tribute. Here via 2996.

September 08, 2006 3:36 AM  
Blogger -tnchick- said...

Catherine sounds like a lovely person who would truly be touched by this. I know she's smiling now, knowing we remember her, even if via online comments.

I only know Petey through comments left on various websites as well... and news articles. I'm proud to be a part of this project. I only hope no one ever forgets these fine people.

September 09, 2006 2:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The amount of talent, love, and beauty taken from this world on Sept 11 is so tragic. Very well written. I'm sure her family would be proud to read that. I think you did Catherine's memory justice and I'm personally glad to have met her. Thanks also for commenting on my tribute.

September 09, 2006 9:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonderful job. God Bless all of the familes of the 2996 victims. I love this projects because it reminds they are not just numbers but people, people that were loved.

September 09, 2006 10:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That was a wonderful tribute! She was absolutely a beautiful person. We lost so many beautiful people that day.

Thank you for reading my tribute and leaving such a warm comment...:)

September 10, 2006 2:40 AM  
Blogger humble servant said...

beautiful.

September 10, 2006 5:57 AM  
Blogger Jeff and Charli Lee said...

Thank you for volunteering to participate in this project. I know that it wasn't easy to try to memorialize someone we didn't even know - but you did a beautiful job. Were you ever able to find out where she was when she died?

Thank you so much for stopping by my tribute too.

September 10, 2006 9:07 AM  
Blogger Cathy said...

What a beautiful smile! Thank you for taking the time and effort and letting me get to know a bit about her. Well done!

Now that mine is up I'm trying to read as many as I can. In doing so, I'm feeling very proud of my fellow bloggers.

September 10, 2006 9:30 AM  
Blogger Tug said...

Very nice tribute...
Mine is up also.

September 10, 2006 10:28 AM  
Blogger Vickie said...

Thank you for sharing your tribute with us and allowing Catherine to be a person and not just a number.

I also appreciate you visited my blog.

September 10, 2006 2:07 PM  
Blogger Alipurr said...

very sweet tribute. my tribute to 9/11 victim Gregory Wachtler has been posted on 9/9

September 10, 2006 2:34 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Bless you for this beautiful tribute. Thoughts of peace to you and yours today, and every day. With love! xox

September 10, 2006 11:08 PM  
Blogger David Edward said...

a wonderful post! I am so proud to be part of this project with people like you.
By remembering each one, and praying for their families we gain humanity and fight insanity. God Bless you and all the 2996ers for your efforts here.
We will never forget!

September 11, 2006 12:45 AM  
Blogger Joan said...

I hope participating in this project has been as meaningful to you and other bloggers as it has to me. Your tribute was beautiful. There is no way to even imagine what we all lost on that day; but reading these tributes helps "bring it home" to us.

September 11, 2006 7:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Mrs Greenthumb ~~ A great tribute post as they all are. I particularly liked the poem that Jennifer posted about us all becoming ONE. I cannot comment on her blog as she has no OTHER option. Would you let her know how beautiful that poem is. Thanks for your kind words about my tribute. My brother Peter has put a photo on tonight for me. Let us all pray that nothing like that dreadful day ever happens again. Take care, Merle.

September 11, 2006 7:32 AM  
Blogger Kristy said...

Very nice tribute! Thank you for giving me a glimpse into her life.

Thank you for stopping by and reading about Simon Weiser as well.

September 11, 2006 8:20 AM  
Blogger Monica said...

A lovely tribute. Mine is a firefighter from Rescue 5, Lt. Michael Russo. It's nice having their stories come to life...they were real, not just numbers.

September 11, 2006 3:56 PM  
Blogger Big Dave T said...

That's such a nice picture too. It's hard to find the words to describe the lives of those whose lives were so tragically taken. You did as good a job as anyone, though.

September 11, 2006 4:27 PM  
Blogger gordaboo said...

Thank you for such a beautiful tribute. She sounded like a great gal. through your words you have put a face and heart to a name.

We will never forget.

I remember Lisa Egan

http://ramblingsofamadpiggie.blogspot.com

September 11, 2006 4:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Moving tribute. She had such a beautiful smile...both inside and out. Thank you for visiting and allowing me to share Jon and Susan's tributes with you.

September 11, 2006 8:47 PM  
Blogger PastormacsAnn said...

Thank you for this tribute. Surely she's be missed always. Lost but not forgotten.

September 11, 2006 10:31 PM  
Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said...

What a very lovely tribute to a very beautiful young woman...
That is a fantastic smile...I feel so for her dear family and friends. Bless Catherine Nardella. And Bless you, too.

September 11, 2006 11:51 PM  
Blogger Carole Burant said...

What a lovely tribute...we will never forget that day, so many lives were extinguished or changed. I'm busy catching up on all the posts I missed while I was away...congratulations on 47 years of marriage!! That is truly wonderful and you still have your sanity!! lol Hugs!

September 12, 2006 5:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Catherine's eyes sparkle in this photo. What a vivacious and caring young woman she was. Thank you for honoring Catherine with this lovely tribute.

I remember Dominick Berardi on my blog.

September 12, 2006 9:37 AM  
Blogger Franny said...

Beautiful. Thanks for this.

September 12, 2006 10:26 AM  
Blogger Becky said...

You can tell just by looking at her picture that she was one that enjoyed her life. What a spirit.

Thank you for coming by my site and honoring Scott Davidson.

September 12, 2006 1:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This was lovely! I think you did her tribute justice, indeed. She must have been a wonderful person to know, and I believe her family would be honored to read what you wrote.

I honored Amy King and Michael C. Tarrou from United Airlines flight 175.

September 12, 2006 2:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very nice tribute. It has been a trying 3 days since I started reading these. Sometimes I wonder if I will get to them all. I must continue to try.

Thank you for stopping by and reading about Max

September 12, 2006 10:15 PM  
Blogger KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

Just finished reading your sister's tribute and now yours. Love the way these tributes really define the person. Up until now, they have been remembered for the way they died. Our tributes give us a chance to show everyone the way they lived, and that they are so much more than, as someone before me wrote, just a number, a cold statistic.

September 12, 2006 10:37 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Popped by to say hello.

September 15, 2006 6:17 AM  

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