A sister to a Hauppauge native killed on 9/11 said she has more empathy for others after living through the tragedy.
St. James resident Stephanie Tipping lost her brother, John, a firefighter who responded to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. But despite having grown up in a family of first responders she said she wasn’t fully prepared.
“I grew up with firefighters my whole life and never saw loss, and with 9/11 there was such loss. It’s different for us now when you hear a call or an alert,” Tipping said.
She said she finds herself grateful when family members arrive home safely from a call. Tipping also called herself more attuned to the grief and loss of others.
The Hauppauge High School alumnus said she’s grateful for increased security at airports in hopes it will prevent future attacks.
“I don’t care about a line at the airport or our privacy,” she said.
Tipping also restructured her priorities in life, honoring John's memory by living life to the fullest. Her career remains important, but she maintains a better balance with her family life.
“An event like this, it changes your priorities,” she said.
