Filling the Void

In the summer of 2001, Kathy and her husband, Dan, were happily living on Long Island, New York. "I was a homemaker," Kathy says. "I took care of my husband. I loved my life. We had three beautiful children." Dan was a successful bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald in New York; the company's headquarters were located on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center.

Dan was in his office in the North Tower on the morning of September 11. Right after the plane struck that building, Dan called Kathy to tell her that he loved her and to take care of their kids. That was the last time Kathy spoke to her husband.

Dan Trant was one of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks that day. Therefore, Kathy received approximately $4.2 million from the government's Victims' Compensation Fund. She also received an estimated $300,000 in charitable contributions.