At the Head of the Class With Mary Lou Hague
Mary Lou Hague lived from October 7, 1974 to September 11, 2001. At 26 years old, it seems like she should have had many joyous decades ahead of her. But a barbaric attack wasn’t able to take away the tremendous moments she experienced and created in the time available. She’ll always have achieved so much even with the unfulfilled dream of her getting to do so much more.
Earning for others brought her to the top of the world. She worked as a financial analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, an investment banking firm occupying the 85th, 88th, and 89thfloors of 2 World Trade Center. Mary Lou worked on the topmost of those as a financial analyst, making money among the clouds.
Those managing commerce faced untold horror. The company was based in the second tower hit during the atrocities. Mary Lou was one of sixty-seven KBW employees murdered that morning, one of countless unimaginable losses from that darkest of days.
She created so much jubilation before then. Displaying remarkable aptitude at every level was her norm. The West Virginia native was the sort of vivaciously successful student who makes everyone else feel like a slacker. Most notably, Mary Lou was Parkersburg High School’s 1992 valedictorian out of 481 students.
Excelling in class was just the start of her school day. It’s easier to list the clubs in which she wasn’t involved. As a class officer and cheerleader who was a member of the drill team, homecoming court, and several singing groups, Mary Lou was naturally selected as most outstanding high school senior. Nobody who lost could complain.
Mary Lou headed south from West Virginia to North Carolina for college. Her commitment to embodying a well-rounded student continued. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a business administration major. Mary Lou made sure she stayed busy as an undergraduate by serving as vice president and treasurer of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She was also the Student Congress treasurer. Too much free time was never an issue.
After spending two years in Memphis, Tennessee working in corporate finance, she made an investment in herself. The interest level gave her the highest return. Mary Lou moved to New York City, settling into apartment life near Gracie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side while working downtown in the Financial District.
Moving to America’s most populous metropolis meant being near more people to help. Mary Lou worked with kids as a member of her new city’s Junior League. Someone from a large family was dedicated to helping children. Considering her four sisters and two brothers, pitching in with young people was a benevolent impulse that was inherent to who she was.
As expected, New York City afforded chances for fun, as well. Take indulging in her love of 1980s music. A huge Michael Jackson fan, Mary Lou spent a small fortune to see him the previous Friday at Madison Square Garden. Those who miss her can picture how much bliss she experienced in her final weekend.
Present students encounter reminders of an exemplary predecessor. There’s the 9–11 Mary Lou Hague Sports and Arts Complex at Parkersburg High School. And those enrolling in her alma mater with good academics and financial need compete for the honor of winning the Mary Lou Hague Memorial Scholarship at UNC. After being established thanks to an anonymous $25,000 donation in the year of her passing, the award features a preference for fellow Mountain State natives as a way of honoring its namesake.
A West Virginian at heart who studied in North Carolina came to New York City to make it. Mary Lou had considered moving back to her hometown after getting her fill of life in the biggest city. Instead, her final resting place is the National September 11 Memorial with her name listed on Panel S-35.
Her graceful combination of ability and personality is to be cherished as it is missed. Accounts from those in her life attest that Mary Lou was both professional and exceedingly kind. A lady with the smile of a beauty pageant contestant radiated happiness as she thrived in a challenging field’s epicenter. Doing so while remaining pleasant should be an Olympic event.
Mary Lou was the sort of person who put her ample talents into practice and chose to be decent, as well. An impressive career is nice to have, and it’s even better to have niceness. As someone gifted yet approachable, she did great things while remaining good.
Someone given so much utilized her abilities to the utmost. Most importantly, she was at her best when it came to being immensely likable. Living fully without knowing her time was short demonstrated remarkable character. The world could use more Mary Lou Hagues. Having one for far too short a time is nonetheless a blessing that should inspire by sterling example.
Originally published September 11, 2018.
