Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 12, 2025 Sept. 11, 2001 refl ections Timing was everything for Evangeline Dukas, a Saugonian who survived the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers – because she was late to work that day By Janice K. Jarosz (Editor’s Note: Janice K. Jarosz is a frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate. This week, she shared an article she wrote more than two decades ago about a Saugus woman who was thankful she was late for work on Sept. 11, 2001, escaping the tragedy of those who perished in terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers in New York City. This article first appeared in the Saugonian Newspaper on September 11, 2003.) If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available SHE LIVED TO TELL THE STORY: Saugus native Evangeline Dukas was a close observer of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers in New York City. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) E vangeline Dukas was born in Saugus, Massachusetts, attended the local schools and graduated from Saugus High School in 1990, and in 1994 she graduated from UMass. After several years of working in the Boston office of Thompson Financial, she was transferred to their New York offi ce in 1999, where she was eventually promoted to another branch of the company with their offi ces located on the 77th fl oor of the second tower of the World Trade Center. A quick learner, she settled right in with her new coworkers and life was good. This particular weekend had been wonderful but a fl u-like bug seemed to be threatening her otherwise perfect health. She was able to get through Monday at the offi ce, but she knew she had to make a presentation to her new boss on Tuesday, September 11, at 9 a.m., and she did not look forward to it. Fleeting thoughts went through her mind on the 10th, and she wondered how on earth could she get out of that assignment – something she always dreaded anyway – sick or not. Coming down with fl u-like symptoms did not help her outlook on life, but she could not seem to fi nd a way to get out of it. Evangeline rose early Tuesday morning, still experiencing cold-like symptoms, and just getting dressed for the day took some effort. All during those early morning hours, her mind kept racing; am I sick enough to call off this 9 a.m. meeting or am I getting sick REFLECTIONS | SEE PAGE 7
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