WBZ via CNN Newsource
Framingham, Massachusetts, (WBZ) via CNN — A Massachusetts family is finally feeling a sense of closure 25 years after losing their loved one in the terror attacks of 11 September 2001.
Paul Keating’s mother, Barbara Keating, was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston when hijackers crashed the plane into the World Trade Centre in New York City.
“It’s truly amazing that 24 years and two months later, we get notified that my mom’s remains are identified,” Keating said.
For years, the family was told her remains would never be recovered.
“We were all told there would never be any remains. You were not to expect it,” he said.
However, through DNA technology, the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office identified Barbara Keating’s remains last year, Keating said.
The 72-year-old dedicated much of her life to helping children through Big Brothers Big Sisters, working with children who have Down syndrome.
“Besides having a big Irish Catholic family in Boston of seven, she worked her whole life with children,” he said with a smile.
To mark 25 years since the 9/11 attacks, the family held a ceremony on Friday morning.
“We laid my mom to rest with my dad. We had a complete ceremony all over again and placed the urn in the ground,” he said.
Although it has been 25 years, the family says having her remains now provides a sense of peace and closure.
“We get closure. It’s literally that simple. Yes, we knew she was on the flight. Yes, we knew she died. And 25 years ago, we buried her, but we didn’t,” Paul Keating said. “It didn’t seem complete. It just did not. This changes it for us.”
She is now buried next to her husband of 32 years. The family thanked the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office for its Herculean efforts.
“Their work is outstanding and they are still doing it all day, every day. So we can’t thank them enough,” he said.
