Death at the Cathedral, 1964
October 2, 1964: One minute Veronica McConnell, 22, was happy and carefree. The young American woman had just arrived in Paris the night before on vacation and was visiting Notre Dame Cathedral. It was the first stop on the city bus tour.
After seeing the inside of the cathedral, she stopped to buy some candles at a stand in the plaza. Having made her purchase, she began walking back towards the tour group. The next second she was dead, killed by suicide jumper Denise Rey-Herme, 37, who had leapt off the cathedral's north tower. Rey-Herme was despondent, having learned that because of chronic ill health she would never achieve her ambition of becoming a nun.
Goes to show that death can strike at any moment, anywhere.
Note: there's some confusion about McConnell's age. Different accounts of the event list it as either 21, 22, or 24. The NY Times says she was 22, so I'm trusting they were right.
After seeing the inside of the cathedral, she stopped to buy some candles at a stand in the plaza. Having made her purchase, she began walking back towards the tour group. The next second she was dead, killed by suicide jumper Denise Rey-Herme, 37, who had leapt off the cathedral's north tower. Rey-Herme was despondent, having learned that because of chronic ill health she would never achieve her ambition of becoming a nun.
Goes to show that death can strike at any moment, anywhere.
Note: there's some confusion about McConnell's age. Different accounts of the event list it as either 21, 22, or 24. The NY Times says she was 22, so I'm trusting they were right.
Veronica McConnell
The Odessa American - Oct 4, 1964
The Terre Haute Tribune - Oct 3, 1964
Comments
Two doomed people meeting an earlier that expected end. The woman who wished to be a nun but was too ill and an x-ray tech back in the 60's. Worth a thought as well, the woman who jumped because she could not serve in the religion she was devoted to doomed herself to hell according to that religion by her final action.
Tragic.
Tragic.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 07/12/15 at 10:41 AM
So, only healthy crazy people can pledge themselves to a life of celibacy to serve a religion that refuses birth control to it's adherents and promotes large families?
Just askin'.
Just askin'.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 07/12/15 at 11:54 PM
I will avoid this location. I'm not sure if my life insurance covers this event.
Posted by Gator Guy on 07/13/15 at 10:20 AM
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Category: Death | Nuns | 1960s