TJX loses seven to terrorist attacks

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/17/2001 12:00:00 AM

Framingham, MA — The TJX Companies has announced that seven of its employees were on one of the airplanes involved in the terrorist attacks last week.

"It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I inform you that our worst fears have been realized as all seven of our associates have been confirmed to have been on American Airlines flight #11 bound for Los Angeles," said Ted English, president and ceo. Originating in Boston, the flight was one of the two hijacked airplanes to crash into the World Trade Center.

Neilie Casey, 32, was a merchandise planning manager who had been with the TJX companies for eight years, and who was traveling to Los Angeles to visit stores. She is survived by her husband and seven-month-old daughter.

Tara Creamer, 30, was a merchandise planning manager who had been with the company for eight years, and was also on her way to visit stores in California. She is survived by her husband and two children.

Robin Kaplan, 33, was a senior store equipment specialist who had been with the company for eight years. She was headed to California to help prepare for a new T.J. Maxx store opening. She is survived by her parents, of which her mother is also an employee of the company.

Christine Barbuto, 32, a five-year company employee and a buyer in ladies sportswear, was headed to California on a buying trip. Predeceased by her mother, Barbuto is survived by her father and two sisters.

Linda George, 27, was a buyer who had been with the company for five years, who was also headed on a buying trip. She is survived by her fiance, also an employee of the company, her parents, brother and sister.

Lisa Fenn Gordenstein, 41, was an assistant vp, merchandise manager. She has worked at the company for 17 years in several divisions, and was headed to California on a buying trip. She is survived by her husband and two children.

A seventh associate was 42 years old and an assistant vp of merchandise planning and allocation who had been with the company for 11 years. She is survived by her husband and two children.