Catherine with her sister, 1982
Catherine MacRae and her family, 1996
Catherine MacRae with mother and sister, 1999
Catherine MacRae and sister, 2000
Catherine MacRae, 1994
Catherine MacRae, 2000
Portrait of Catherine MacRae, 2000
Turning points: 5 Exonians working for change
The Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin that profiles Cameraon MacRae, Catherine's father, and what he has done to commemorate his daughter. Article begins on page 22.
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Fall 2008 Exeter Bulletin profiling Cat's Father
Conseleya 9/11 Memorial
Dewitt 9/11 Memorial
Montclair State University 9/11 Memorial
East Newark 9/11 Memorial
Fair Haven 9/11 Memorial
Freehold Township 9/11 Living Memorial Tree Grove
Crescent Beach Park - Flagpole/Memorial for 9/11 Victims
Garrison Elementary School American Patriot Garden
Keansburg Beach Front Memorial
How do you capture Cat in words? Impossible. How do you capture Cat in memories? As her roommate, you remember how Cat would leave flowers on your pillow along with a note expressing her love and loyalty. As her fellow Ivy member, you remember how Cat would light up the dinner table with her charm and self-deprecating wit. As her friend, you remember how Cat would ensure you received an invitation to every party she attended. As her squash teammate, you recall the match Cat won an hour after being drenched with champagne when she received a bid from Ivy. As her classmate, you remember the study snacks Cat would prepare for you. As her partner in life, you remember Cat’s infinite love. Most of all, as her family, you remember how Cat would give the world to spend one more hour with you.
Catherine Fairfax MacRae was a research analyst at Fred Alger Management on the 93rd floor of World Trade Center One. Only a year into her career, Cat had already passed Level One of the Chartered Financial Analyst Exam and was on the fast track to a promising future at the investment house. This was hardly surprising, as Cat always adhered to the highest of standards and did so without the slightest hint of pretension. She had the uncanny ability to achieve excellence with grace, style, and a sense of humor. If you had to sum up Cat in one word it would be love. Love for her family. Love for her friends. Love for humankind. Love for God. Though she was only given 23 years on this earth, she gave back so much more.
Cameron MacRae ’63 describes his daughter as “bright and beautiful, gentle and kind . . . the epitome of all that is good in the world.” This sentiment was clearly shared by the throngs of family, Princetonians, and other friends who journeyed in stormy weather to Cat’s memorial service at St. Andrew’s Dune Church, nestled in the sand dunes of Southampton, New York. Just before the service began, the rain subsided and the 40-mile-an-hour gusts settled down into a gentle breeze. And during the service, as the speakers recalled Cat’s boundless love and generosity, sunlight flooded the church in a way church parishioners had never witnessed. It was Cat’s love once again.
New York Times Portraits of Grief
The question, at last, is put to Andrew Caspersen: Did your girlfriend have any flaws?
Long pause.
Catherine Fairfax MacRae, granddaughter of a founding partner of the law firm LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, won the math prize at the Brearley School, was editor of its newspaper, and was a ferocious field hockey player. At Princeton she made varsity squash and graduated magna cum laude in economics, with concentrations in math and finance. She never pulled an all-nighter and usually finished her work a week ahead, said Channing Barnett, a friend.
Cat was never late and expected the same when you met her for dinner. She was inexhaustibly thoughtful, always checking in, sending small gifts, and fretting that she was not being a good enough friend, seemingly to hundreds. She was beautiful and funny and charmingly self-deprecating and talked on the phone to her mother at least three times a day.
People always wanted her at their parties.
She was 23, and a stock analyst at Fred Alger Management on the 93rd floor of 1 World Trade Center.
Mr. Caspersen?
"She was not great with driving directions and we'd get lost quite often," conceded Mr. Caspersen, a Harvard law student. "But that was a bonus. It allowed us to spend more time together."
I worked with Catherine at
I worked with Catherine at Goldman, and remember clearly when she moved over to Fred Alger, right b4 9/11. We were all so worried about her on that day. She was a very good, gentle person and while the years pass by, and the seasons change, I want you to know that she has not been forgotten.
Posted by Marc
I too came to this page after
I too came to this page after reading about your family in the Guardian. Ten years have gone by but I am sure she is still missed and loved. She seemed like someone who was genuinely good and kind-hearted. Her way of living life was truly inspirational. Please accept my condolences and wishes for all those who grieve her to find peace.
Posted by Veena
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