Lydia Bravo
The night before the planes hit, Lydia Bravo cooked a pot of ribollita, the Tuscan stew of beans and greens. She and her fiancé, Anthony Bengivenga -- "she called me Antonio" -- opened a bottle of Sangiovese. They had just returned from a week in Mexico. Ms. Bravo, a nurse at Marsh & McLennan, returned to work on Tuesday, Sept. 11.
They would have been together 11 years this month, Mr. Bengivenga said. Both had been married before, both had grown children. They had found in each other a passion for all things passionate -- the films of Pedro Almodovar, flamenco music and food. All kinds of food.
Ms. Bravo, 50, was a devoted cook. She had taken classes at Peter Gumps. She had hundreds of cookbooks -- some picked up at flea markets, others on trips abroad. Whenever they went to Italy she peeked into kitchens and chatted up the cooks. At home in Dunellen, N.J., she cooked elaborate meals.
"That was really her forte," Mr. Bengivenga said. "I would help. I enjoyed being in the kitchen with her." She taught him a few things, but not nearly enough, he said.
Copyright (c) 2001 by The New York Times Co. Reprinted by permission.
Add Your Tribute
Tributes
I didn't know Lydia, but she sounds like a great person with a lot of heart. So many are sorry that her life, and that of so many others, was cut short on one terrible day in September. Sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
Leslie Honcharik, Friend
We will never forget you Aunt Lydia. You were a kind & gentle soul. We miss you so much. We think about you everyday still, 20 years later. I love you. I miss you. You will forever still be with us in our hearts. For as long as I live, you live with me.
Alexes Y , Family
Always in our hearts
Patricia Barraza, Colleague
Payson 3 will never be the same without your laugh. I would always be late for work and lived next door to the hospital; however, you would always arrive early, and do narcotic count for me. We would sit in the med room and chat about Anthony and your daughter. I remember you had me go out and get some pig knuckles. The good memories. The last time I saw you was on 42nd street and when you turned around to say goodbye, your hair flew in the air. You will forever be remembered. I will never forget my friend.
Victoria Stockdale, Colleague
We shall never forget you, your smile, your voice and your laugh. We shall keep this day as a sacred remembrance of you and what we lost in a moment.
We carry on but we never leave you behind. Thank you for helping us daily to carry the tears and the sadness in our hearts but still to move forward with strength and determination. God Bless You and your family today and always. Patricia & Charles Barraza
Patricia Barraza, Colleague
I will always remember Lydia for her humor and easy laughter. She coordinated wellness programs for Marsh & McLennan employees (I worked for William Mercer, a subsidiary, in 2WTC). This included a weekly yoga class which she often took. Lydia would reserve a conference room on the 99th floor of 1 WTC. It was so much fun to be with her. We giggled and de-stressed together, trying to master our yoga poses, while looking out on an amazing view of the city. I am grateful to have known her. God bless.
David Garvoille, Colleague
Dear Lydia,I think about you all the time.We had so many laughs together working at Salomon Brothers in the Medical department.You taught me so many things about nursing,friendship and of course, cooking!Your smile, your love for your daughter andn, your fabulous laugh and passion for life will always be in my heart.Miss you, my dear friend. With love, Alison
alison wilks, Colleague
Seasons change, time passes but what remains the same is your imprint on our hearts. Your smile, your face, your stories & jokes are forever ours. Rest in peace and may God Bless you and your family today on the 10th anniversary of that terrible morning. We miss you and we are better for having known you. We remember you today and always
Patricia Barraza, Colleague
Today, a day very much like that Tuesday nine years ago we are remembering you with love. Keeping your memory forever in our hearts and praying for you, your family and friends. Patricia and Charles Barraza
Patricia Barraza, Colleague
Remembering my delightful friend and colleague. Our time together at NY Hospital in the late 80's and into the 90's. Lydia was a gift to Oncology Nursing, her lighthearted spirit and that fabulously infectious laugh brightened everyone who had the privelege to be around
I miss you, my friend...with love, Michele
Michele Daddario, Friend
Lydia, Remembering you on this sad anniversary. God Bless you and your family today and always. Pat
Patricia Barraza, Colleague
More than a moment of silence, on this day and everyday may we use our lives to honor and respectfully remember you. With careful consideration we continue on where you could have gone, good left undone, countless gifts not given. We will not fail; we will not forget you, our precious family, our dear friend, our inspiration. Patricia & Charles Barraza
Patricia Barraza, Colleague
With a terrible sadness we mark this day, the third anniversary of the morning we lost each of you. In the end it is only a marker. The grief, sorrow and the incredible possibilities that we lost in those horrific moments remain with us every day. We weep, no, sob from a place deep, deep inside that has been left empty by your absence. And we pray, for you, your families, your friends, and your colleagues. And for ourselves may God give us the strength to go forward and honor you with our lives. We will never forget you.
Patricia Barraza
Pat Barraza, Colleague
Remembering - I wanted to write to say we remember you and think of you as we go on. We miss your being, but feel your presence. I believe that your spirit is our angel watching over us in a dangerous world. Remembering you keeps you with us and brings us peace in turmoil. In this season of renewal and everyday since we “lost” you we keep you and your loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. Peace to you.
Pat Barraza, Colleague
I would always go to our medical department to weight myself and she was always so kind.
I truly miss her.
Doris L. Williams, Colleague
Lydia was the nurse at Marsh in the World Trade Ctr. One day I was dizzy and went to see her. She examined me,and decided to send me home. She was so nice and caring and escorted me down from the 94th floor to make sure I got into the cab safely. When I took a colleage to see her some weeks later, she remembered me and asked how I was feeling. I was so surprised she remembered me as she dealt with so many people each day. She was such a kind and caring person. I think of her so often and she is included in my prayers each night.
Corinne Simonetti, Colleague
Lydia was the best nurse in the whole wide world... She really knew a lot, and when she wanted to give me more information, she did not hesitate to look it up in her books. She had great suggestions for healthy remedies and practices. But the greatest thing about going to Lydia was her laughter and warmth. Every time I visited her office, I left with the feeling that everything was just great. No matter how awful I was feeling at the time I walked in.
Flora Bennett, Colleague
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain.
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am the morning hush.
I am the graceful rush
of beautiful birds in circling flight.
I am the star shine of the night.
I am the flowers that bloom.
I am in a quiet room.
I am the birds that sing.
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.I did not die."
...Mary Frye, Baltimore MD, Circa 1933
Alive in our hearts forever...
In loving memory of dear Lydia
Patricia & Charles Barraza
9-11-2002
Patricia & Charles Barraza, Colleague
I remember our first meeting, I had had a sore throat and went to her office for some lozengers. She talked a lot, asked a lot of questions, took my temperature, asked more questions and then suggested a few home remedies. I remember thinking, she must be bored or lonely because she talks too much.
Several months later, I had to visit with her again was surprised that she actually remembered who I was and that this was a repeat of previous illness. I realized that she wasn't lonely nor bored, she was a friendly person who cared and thats a quality hard to find in a company nurse.
Lydia was not just a nurse, she was a friend,
A FRIEND MISSED VERY MUCH.
Estella Taylor, Colleague