"Reliving a nightmare"

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A tragic Western Massachusetts connection to the crash of Continental Flight 3407 from Newark to Buffalo.

Springfield resident Margot Eckert lost her sister, Beverly Eckert, in that crash on Thursday night.

Margot is no stranger to tragedy, in 2001 she found out her brother-in-law, Shawn Rooney, died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Now, eight years later, Margot said she feels like she's re-living a nightmare.

On Friday night, 22News spoke with Margot Ekert about her sister, Beverly.

"She devoted her life since 9/11 to making the world a better place, to making her priceless husbands death not meaningless, and her life was not meaningless, because she worked very hard," said Margot.

Beverly was the third child in a family of five children. Margot told 22News she speant more time with Beverly than any of her other siblings.

Right before speaking to 22News, she watched a Tom Brokaw Special Report about her sister and brother-in-law on national TV. She choked back tears as she remembered the life of her sister.

"She was absolutely fearless in talking to authority, talking clearly, talking plainly, and she was an example to all of us that one person can make a difference," said Margot.

Margot told 22News her sister worked on the intelligence commission, and on skyscraper safety. She also was a volunteer in her Stamford Ct. community.

Through her pain and tears, Margot Eckert said the one thing that helps her to cope, is knowing that her sister is with her beloved late husband Shawn.

"She knew that she wanted to be with Shawn, and she is now with her husband, Shawn Rooney, and that gives our family comfort," said Margot.

Beverly Eckert was the Co-Chairperson of the organization "Voices of September 11th."

She was on her way to announce a new scholarship at a Buffalo High School in her husbands name on Friday.