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Judith Berquis “Judy” <I>Diaz</I> Sierra
Monument

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Judith Berquis “Judy” Diaz Sierra

Birth
Rio Piedras, San Juan Municipality, Puerto Rico, USA
Death
11 Sep 2001 (aged 32)
Financial District, New York County, New York, USA
Monument
Manhattan, New York County, New York, USA GPS-Latitude: 40.7107722, Longitude: -74.0129556
Plot
Panel S-40
Memorial ID
View Source
as an administrative assistant for Fiduciary Trust International in the South Tower.

Friends since their days at Julia Richmond High School in Manhattan from which they both graduated in 1986. Emy chose Judy to be the maid of honor at her wedding in 1997, and Judy returned the favor in 1999.

Her husband compared his first meeting with his future wife's friends, Gabriel and Emerita De La Pena, to meeting her parents for the first time: nerve-racking. They were very quiet and very reserved. They were meeting someone new in Judy's life, and they were looking out for her best interests.

A coin-operated laundry in Brooklyn was the site of Ron Sierra's first meeting with Judy Diaz. Surrounded by the rumble of dryers and the smell of detergent, the two exchanged pleasantries, he said. They began dating in 1993, and were married six years later.

The day of their wedding, he and his wife closed on their first home in Bay Shore. Looking forward to expanding their family, Judy's aspirations were to be a mom. But she also liked to stay in shape. He remembered coming home and seeing her repping away on abdominal crunches or pedaling her stationary bicycle in front of the television. She worked out as often as she watched television.

Gabriel De La Pena remembered the first time he saw his future wife typing away, with her hair tied back, at the New York City Public School Construction Authority, where the two worked in 1992. Someone told him that he had to see this new girl that they just hired. He thought she was beautiful and was impressed right away.

Emerita De La Pena, who was working toward a bachelor's degree in education at Saint Francis College in Brooklyn, was a full-time mom, employee, wife and a part-time student. After returning to the couple's Briarwood home at 8 PM., she'd whip up a helping of rice, beans and steak, which was her husband's favorite, and spend time reading to their daughter, Daniella. She was an excellent mother.

The couples vacationed together several years ago in Florida, first at Disney World and later driving down to Miami. Whenever Judy and I had something in mind, whether it was a show, or vacation, we'd always think of Emy and Gabe. Whitewater rafting excursions, barbecues and Broadway shows are among Sierra's memories.

Ron Sierra said he has found comfort in the fact that his wife was not alone on 9/11. It's sort of comforting that they were both together and they were a great team.

Judy and Emerita De La Pena of Briarwood had been inseparable since the days they became friends in a Manhattan high school more than a decade ago. They were both administrative assistants for Fiduciary Trust on the 90th floor in the South Tower. Judith was recovered on Saturday, October 13, 2001 and identified on Friday, January 18, 2002.

Ron spoke to his wife's best friend, known as Emy, shortly before the first plane flew into the North Tower. Emy was planning her daughter's birthday party and they were discussing that.

The conversation was interrupted by one of Emy's co-workers who said there had been an explosion in the building and they had to evacuate. I didn't want to contact my wife because the priority wasn't for her to answer the phone, but for her to leave the building and knew Emy would grab her and get out of there.
as an administrative assistant for Fiduciary Trust International in the South Tower.

Friends since their days at Julia Richmond High School in Manhattan from which they both graduated in 1986. Emy chose Judy to be the maid of honor at her wedding in 1997, and Judy returned the favor in 1999.

Her husband compared his first meeting with his future wife's friends, Gabriel and Emerita De La Pena, to meeting her parents for the first time: nerve-racking. They were very quiet and very reserved. They were meeting someone new in Judy's life, and they were looking out for her best interests.

A coin-operated laundry in Brooklyn was the site of Ron Sierra's first meeting with Judy Diaz. Surrounded by the rumble of dryers and the smell of detergent, the two exchanged pleasantries, he said. They began dating in 1993, and were married six years later.

The day of their wedding, he and his wife closed on their first home in Bay Shore. Looking forward to expanding their family, Judy's aspirations were to be a mom. But she also liked to stay in shape. He remembered coming home and seeing her repping away on abdominal crunches or pedaling her stationary bicycle in front of the television. She worked out as often as she watched television.

Gabriel De La Pena remembered the first time he saw his future wife typing away, with her hair tied back, at the New York City Public School Construction Authority, where the two worked in 1992. Someone told him that he had to see this new girl that they just hired. He thought she was beautiful and was impressed right away.

Emerita De La Pena, who was working toward a bachelor's degree in education at Saint Francis College in Brooklyn, was a full-time mom, employee, wife and a part-time student. After returning to the couple's Briarwood home at 8 PM., she'd whip up a helping of rice, beans and steak, which was her husband's favorite, and spend time reading to their daughter, Daniella. She was an excellent mother.

The couples vacationed together several years ago in Florida, first at Disney World and later driving down to Miami. Whenever Judy and I had something in mind, whether it was a show, or vacation, we'd always think of Emy and Gabe. Whitewater rafting excursions, barbecues and Broadway shows are among Sierra's memories.

Ron Sierra said he has found comfort in the fact that his wife was not alone on 9/11. It's sort of comforting that they were both together and they were a great team.

Judy and Emerita De La Pena of Briarwood had been inseparable since the days they became friends in a Manhattan high school more than a decade ago. They were both administrative assistants for Fiduciary Trust on the 90th floor in the South Tower. Judith was recovered on Saturday, October 13, 2001 and identified on Friday, January 18, 2002.

Ron spoke to his wife's best friend, known as Emy, shortly before the first plane flew into the North Tower. Emy was planning her daughter's birthday party and they were discussing that.

The conversation was interrupted by one of Emy's co-workers who said there had been an explosion in the building and they had to evacuate. I didn't want to contact my wife because the priority wasn't for her to answer the phone, but for her to leave the building and knew Emy would grab her and get out of there.

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  • Maintained by: Incog
  • Originally Created by: Erik Lander
  • Added: Oct 13, 2001
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5843213/judith_berquis-sierra: accessed ), memorial page for Judith Berquis “Judy” Diaz Sierra (4 Oct 1968–11 Sep 2001), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5843213, citing National September 11 Memorial, Manhattan, New York County, New York, USA; Maintained by Incog (contributor 50974938).