Ivy M. Moreno, a law firm manager, is the bereaved yet proud mother of Yvette Nicole Moreno – a beautiful, cheerful and compassionate 24-year-old who died in the World Trade Center disaster. Ivy, who is Catholic, was born in Bronx, New York, where she continues to live today with her son. On the morning of Sept. 11, Ivy was at home getting ready for work. She wrote her tribute, “In Honor of Yvette Nicole Moreno,” on July 23, 2002.

Yvette Nicole Moreno lived life to its fullest. She always had a smile on her face – described by her friends as a “Kool-Aid” smile. Yvette was a wonderful and loving daughter, sister and friend. She truly enjoyed being with her family and friends, whether having dinner, dancing, playing cards or just talking. Yvette was beautiful – inside and out. She was always a very thoughtful and considerate person; a bright and happy young lady with a great future ahead of her.

Yvette was working full-time while at the same time attending college full-time. She first attended Hunter College and she had just transferred and started a new semester at Lehman College. She was on the Dean’s List at Hunter; she was planning to continue her education by receiving her Master’s Degree. Her major was sociology and her minor was psychology; she wanted to be a guidance counselor for teenagers who she felt needed more guidance but had the least resources available. She would have graduated May 2002. Yvette had great potential.

My name is Ivy Moreno. I am the bereaved but proud mother of World Trade Center Disaster Victim, Yvette Nicole Moreno, and I write this tribute in honor of my daughter who passed from this earth as a “hero.”

My beautiful daughter was a receptionist at Carr Futures, Inc., One World Trade Center. Yvette was 24 years old. She was single, living at home with me and her brother and she was of Hispanic nationality. Yvette was found on a World Trade Center overpass on her 25th birthday, October 4, 2001.

Few mothers are blessed with a wonderful daughter such as Yvette. As she became older, we became good friends. She shared her life with me, she respected me and sought my advice; she truly did her part in making our relationship work. My heart swelled with pride always. Yvette taught me about unconditional love, mutual respect and so much more. We were the “Wind beneath (each other’s) Wings.”

Yvette is missed very, very much by me, her brother, her family and friends. We miss her hugs, her kisses, her laugh – we miss everything about her. She had a cheerful nature, a good heart and a beautiful laugh. Yvette had an inner beauty that shone outward – a gift from God.

Two scholarships, one at Cathedral High School and one at Lehman College, have been set up in Yvette’s name; I have had a brick placed in front of a chapel in her memory; quilts are being made in her honor. Through all these tributes and through all our cherished memories, Yvette Nicole Moreno will always live on in our minds, hearts and souls.

Hugs and kisses from Mommy, May She Rest in Peace, My Beautiful Angel.

IVY MORENO
Bronx, New York