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DAPHNE FERLINDA ELDER: A Loyal, Doting Daughter

 

Sept. 11 was Daphne Ferlinda Elder's first day back at work after a glorious week of vacation with her sister. A business analyst at Marsh & McLennan, at 2 World Trade Center, Ms. Elder was expected in at 10 a.m. on some days, 8:30 a.m. on others. That Tuesday was an early day.

Jimmy Elder, Daphne's father, was a few blocks north of the twin towers when the first plane crashed. "I thought it was an accident but then the other plane hit," he said. His cell phone rang, but all he heard was static. "It had to be her."

All day Mr. Elder stayed as close to the scene as possible, hoping for news of his daughter, 36. He went home around 10 p.m.

The family of four children that Mr. Elder and his wife, Josephine, raised in Upper Manhattan was always close. One happy memory: a 1993 trip to Disney World where they all swam, fished and picked oranges. Even though the children were scattered across the metropolitan area, all six got together for lunch every Saturday. "Daphne was a loving person," Mr. Elder said. "She called me every day to find out how I'm doing, what did I eat, did I get some rest. That's what I really miss."

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From "Profiles in Grief" of The New York Times