The Rose Window at St. Philip’s Cathedral

At the time, it was the deadliest crash in aviation history. On Sunday morning, June 3, 1962, Atlanta was stunned by the news that a plane carrying 106 of its citizens had crashed on take-off at Orly Airfield near Paris, France.   Among the victims were some of Atlanta’s most prominent figures in the arts world.

Half-a-century has passed since the Orly tragedy, but the memory of that terrible day and those who lost their lives is still fresh in the minds of many Atlantans.  A decade ago, Atlanta author Ann Uhry Abrams wrote a biography of the passengers prior to their trip to Paris and the resulting effect the disaster had on Atlanta.  I met her at Atlanta’s Cathedral of St. Philip below a massive stained glass window dedicated to the memory of those who died at Orly.  Joining us there was Thornton Kennedy, whose great aunt quietly raised the funds to include this breathtaking memorial as part of the Cathedral.  I began by talking with Ms. Abrams about the trip that began with such promise.