Advocacy leads to award nomination: Terri Severin lost her sister and nephew in 1994 plane crash; she’s worked since then to bring about change

GALENA–Halloween 1994 started off as any other day for Terri Severin. Her children and her sister Patty’s children were planning to trick or treat together in the neighborhood, just as they always did.

First, though, Patty and her sons needed to travel back to Chicago from Indianapolis. Patty and 4-year-old Patrick–dressed in his costume–were aboard one plane, while 7-year-old Jonathan had boarded an earlier flight with a friend. He was waiting for his mom and brother at the airport.

That’s the day life changed forever for that family and many others.

American Eagle Flight 4184 crashed in northwest Indiana. Patty and Patrick, along with 66 others, died that day.

Overcome with grief and committed to honoring Patty and Patrick’s memory, Severin began a journey she never would have imagined for herself. She worked to expose the mishandling of the crash and outdated, callous industry-wide policies that resulted in more pain and heartache for the families of those on board that flight.

Her work led to a book, “In the Wake of the Storm: Living Beyond the Tragedy of Flight 4184,” new legislation and substantive changes that ensure other families will never experience that sort of treatment.

It’s been almost three decades now, and Severin continues the work she knows is so important.

Severin, who recently relocated to Galena to be near her parents, Jim and Ruth Henry, was awarded the 2020 Oakton Community College Distinguished Alumni Award. Severin attended Oakton right out of high school and earned an associate of applied science degree.

The award recognizes individuals for their leadership roles, public service and ability to effect positive change.

Now Severin is up for another honor. Oakton selected Severin as their 2022 nominee for the Illinois Community College Trustee Association Distinguished Alumnus Award. She will be considered for the award based on outstanding success and distinction in chosen field, humanitarian service that has proven greatly beneficial to society, continued interest in and support of education and community colleges and overcoming life’s obstacles.

Severin had to write a paper about her connection to Oakton and how her time there prepared her for life with lessons of perseverance and dedication to a cause.

Severin came to understand the importance of wisdom beyond the classroom during her time at Oakton, and she gained self esteem and confidence that has allowed her to accept challenges before her and spearhead a grassroots movement.

To support her nomination, Severin supplied news articles and pieces she’s written–including columns in the Galena Gazette–and other information that documents her journey. Oakton also submitted a packet of information supporting Severin’s nomination.

The recipient of the 2022 award will be announced June 10 at a reception in Chicago.

“(The plane crash and aftermath) took me on a journey I never, ever could have imagined, ever,” said Severin, who was incredibly close to her sister, born the same day, a year apart. The two ran a business and raised their children together.

“Patty was fun-loving, intelligent and adventuresome. People were always drawn to her easygoing nature,” said Severin. “We ran a business together, we lived blocks from each other and we shared everything. For Patty it was always about family, her devotion to her children and our bond of sisterhood.”

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There were indications of an overall lack of integrity with the handling of the crash almost immediately, but months later, when Severin visited the site after it had allegedly been cleaned up, it became abundantly clear. She walked away that day with plane wreckage, personal effects and human remains. That was the catalyst to her advocacy.

She discovered that victim identification was incomplete, the airline had a mass gravesite that families didn’t know about, personal effects had been destroyed and overall the airline had neglected meeting the needs of grieving families.

With other victims families, Severin helped pass the Aviation Family Disaster Assistance Act of 1996, which revamped disaster assistance and the response by the airline industry. The legislation coordinates support services following accidents to ensure families receive timely, consistent information and it gives families the right to make decisions about the way in which loved ones are laid to rest.

Severin became the chair of Families and Friends of 4184. She lobbied local government officials and elected representatives in Congress, sharing her experience so that changes would be made.

Her book grew from this experience. She started the project as a way to keep the memory of her sister and nephew alive, mainly for her surviving nephew, but she quickly realized there was another story to be told as well: what went on behind the scenes. The book’s scope broadened to include details of the aftermath of the disaster and the impetus for change. She published the book on her own in 2008 because she didn’t want the narrative to be compromised in any way. She created a non-fiction account of a historical event, sharing the messages of hope, resilience and life beyond disaster.

“In the Wake of the Storm: Living Beyond the Tragedy of Flight 4184” is used as a first responder training tool, was used by National Geographic in the creation of a documentary on the crash of 4184, was required reading for the creators of “Sole Survivor,” a CNN documentary about the struggle of plane crash survivors to re-engage with everyday life, and has been adopted into the curriculum at Ohio State University.

Through the years, Severin has shared the horrific realities of the plane crash and its aftermath in the press and by speaking at conferences and airline training classes.

Severin’s experiences have put her in contact with many wonderful people she otherwise never would have encountered.

“There have been blessings,” she said, noting that she would never take those in lieu of her sister.

Severin remembers always hearing people talk about finding closure. She waited and waited for that to happen.

“I sought closure for years, as if it were something tangible I could obtain. Or, as if I would be cloaked with a sense of peace that would magically take my pain away. Neither one ever happened. I have learned that closure is unobtainable,” she explained. “I gradually meshed the life I was rebuilding together with the one I had known before the disaster, and achieved some sort of balance between looking ahead to the future while simultaneously incorporating memories of the past.

“Instead of seeking closure, I learned to live beyond my sudden, tragic loss. I also learned that healing is a journey with no ultimate destination to reach.”

In place of closure, Severin has found community. She has experienced the very best in people as a result of the very worst situation.

First responders reached out to offer help, the families of the victims formed a bond and local volunteers established a roadside memorial that has since been replaced by a permanent stone monument with the names of the victims engraved, along with information about the crash, how it happened and the legislation that resulted. Every year family members and local residents gather there to remember.

Severin’s grief will never end, but she’s found comfort in advocacy.

To learn more, visit Severin’s website at inthewakeofthestorm.com.