Moms Widowed by 9/11 Formed Tight Bond After Tragedy. Decades Later, They’ve Both Found Love and Continue to Give Back

**Finding Solace Through Tragedy: The Incredible Journey of Two Widows after 9/11**

On a fateful morning in September 2001, two lives were irrevocably changed when al-Qaida terrorists hijacked flights that would collide with the World Trade Center. For Patti Quigley and Susan Retik, the tragedy was personal, as each woman lost her husband on that notorious day. Their shared experience forged a bond that has not only endured but has also led to impactful humanitarian efforts.

Patti Quigley, then eight months pregnant, kissed her husband Patrick goodbye at their Wellesley home before he left for a flight to Los Angeles. A few miles away in Needham, Susan Retik said farewell to her husband David, who was also on a flight to the same destination. Both women had young children. Susan was pregnant with her third child, and life seemed blissful. However, that ordinary morning quickly transformed into a nightmare as both men’s flights were hijacked, resulting in their deaths just minutes apart.

In the days that followed, Quigley and Retik, accompanied by an outpouring of community support, navigated their devastation. Friends, family, and even strangers rallied around them, offering meals and childcare in a show of solidarity. Retik recalls receiving hand-knit blankets and toys for her children, highlighting the compassion that flooded in during such a dark time.

As both women confronted their grief, they eventually met through a mutual acquaintance who recognised their shared plight. “We just hit it off right away,” Retik says, acknowledging the unique understanding they had for one another that no one else could grasp. Amidst their suffering, they also began to consider the plight of women in war-torn regions, particularly those in Afghanistan, where many lost their husbands and their basic rights.

Driven by their own experiences of loss and the support they received, the duo co-founded Beyond the 11th, a non-profit organisation aimed at helping Afghan widows and their children. Initial fundraising efforts proved successful, accumulating over £325,000 to support around 500 widows and their 2,500 children shortly after the organisation’s inception.

Retik articulated a powerful sentiment: “Nobody wants to be the victim,” emphasising the importance of transcending suffering to assist others in need. Their journey took them to Afghanistan, where they met the widows benefitting from their initiatives. “To know that these American women were raising money for them, it must have made them feel less alone,” Retik reflected.

As time progressed, Quigley took on an additional project by co-founding Razia’s Ray of Hope, a non-profit aimed at promoting girls’ education in Afghanistan. Her work established a school that serves young girls from kindergarten through sixth grade. Meanwhile, Beyond the 11th has awarded more than £1.75 million in grants to various organisations supporting Afghan widows. Since 2021, it has provided ongoing assistance to widowed mothers at Razia’s Ray of Hope.

As circumstances evolved, Retik made the difficult choice to close Beyond the 11th but continues funding the widowed mothers’ programme through an endowment. She remains committed to her partnership with Quigley, now joining her on the board of Razia’s Ray of Hope.

Both women have prioritised their families throughout this journey, and in time, have opened their hearts to new love. In 2004, Retik met Donald, a nonprofit consultant, and they married in December 2006, later welcoming a daughter, Rebecca, into their family. Quigley discovered love again through Bob Dolan, a commercial lender, and their partnership has brought her newfound happiness and stability.

As they prepare for their upcoming fundraising event, a 260-mile bike ride from Manhattan to Boston, the significance of the date looms large. “It’s a difficult day,” Retik acknowledges, but she also sees it as an opportunity to reflect on compassion and humanity. “We chose to find humanity in this tragedy,” she states, summing up the ethos driving both women and their efforts to uplift others amidst their personal suffering.

The resilience and commitment shown by Patti Quigley and Susan Retik illustrate a profound journey from loss to activism, demonstrating that even in the most tragic of circumstances, one can nurture hope and compassion for others. As they continue to support widows both at home and in Afghanistan, they embody the spirit of turning grief into action.