Mercy Welcomes 9/11 Survivor Lisa Amatura

Mount Mercy Academy Welcomes 9/11 Survivor Lisa Amatura

Mount Mercy Academy recently had the esteemed honor of welcoming Lisa Amatura, a 9/11 survivor, to speak with our students as part of our new Life Discovery curriculum. The presentation was conducted in the format of a Life Discovery Interview, with staff and students asking thoughtful questions and engaging deeply in her story.

Ms. Amatura, the mother of Ellie Watson ’29, shared her incredible experience of survival from the 78th floor of the North Tower on September 11, 2001. At the time, she was in New York City on business, meeting with clients as part of her career in technology sales with Ingram Micro—a field in which she has enjoyed more than 30 successful years. That day marked the first time she had ever been inside the World Trade Center.

When the planes struck, Ms. Amatura began the long, harrowing journey down a crowded stairwell, a descent that took hours. She managed to escape not long before the building collapsed. From there, it took her another three hours on foot to return to the safety of her hotel. Though her story is one of survival, she also reminded our students of the many acts of heroism by first responders, whose bravery she will never forget.

Amazingly, all of Ms. Amatura’s colleagues with her that day also survived. She later discovered that she was unknowingly pregnant during the attacks with her daughter Francesca, who is now 23 years old. Today, she lives in Orchard Park with her husband Michael Watson, their daughter Ellie, and their dogs, Zuzu and Cooper. She is also the proud mother of Campbell (26) and Francesca (23), and stepmother to Sophia (24) and James (22).

Ms. Amatura’s message to our students was one of resilience, gratitude, and remembrance. She spoke about how life-changing events like 9/11 shape us forever and encouraged our students to carry forward the lessons of courage and hope.

Our students were captivated by her story and asked many meaningful questions. We are deeply honored that Ms. Amatura shared her powerful testimony with us. It was an unforgettable experience—one that will stay with our community for years to come.

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your story of survival, courage, and hope with Mount Mercy Academy.

Click here to watch Lisa's story and interview!