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Fabienne Vansteenkiste, Brussels Airport Worker, Died After Staying Late Fabienne Vansteenkiste, Brussels Airport Worker, Died After Staying Late
(about 11 hours later)
BRUSSELS — Fabienne Vansteenkiste knew Brussels Airport well. She had worked there for many years, once as a receptionist for an aviation company, and more recently at the check-in counter for Aviapartner, a Belgian shipping service.BRUSSELS — Fabienne Vansteenkiste knew Brussels Airport well. She had worked there for many years, once as a receptionist for an aviation company, and more recently at the check-in counter for Aviapartner, a Belgian shipping service.
Ms. Vansteenkiste, 51, “immediately understood the needs of other people,” said Eddy Van Calster, her husband of more than 30 years.Ms. Vansteenkiste, 51, “immediately understood the needs of other people,” said Eddy Van Calster, her husband of more than 30 years.
As a favor to a co-worker, Ms. Vansteenkiste stayed at the airport for two hours after her shift ended on the morning of March 22. Two minutes before she was scheduled to leave at 8 a.m., two bombs were detonated by suicide attackers mere feet from where she worked.As a favor to a co-worker, Ms. Vansteenkiste stayed at the airport for two hours after her shift ended on the morning of March 22. Two minutes before she was scheduled to leave at 8 a.m., two bombs were detonated by suicide attackers mere feet from where she worked.
A mother and grandmother, Ms. Vansteenkiste grew up in Kinshasa, in what was then Zaire. There, at age 8, she met Mr. Van Calster, whom she would marry 12 years later.A mother and grandmother, Ms. Vansteenkiste grew up in Kinshasa, in what was then Zaire. There, at age 8, she met Mr. Van Calster, whom she would marry 12 years later.
In Africa, Ms. Vansteenkiste learned to love nature and to get by on very little, her husband said.In Africa, Ms. Vansteenkiste learned to love nature and to get by on very little, her husband said.
A colleague recalled how she would share her cooking and homemade canned goods with co-workers.A colleague recalled how she would share her cooking and homemade canned goods with co-workers.
“She made preserves,” said the co-worker, Luc de Greef. “She was very good at making homemade things, organic stuff.”“She made preserves,” said the co-worker, Luc de Greef. “She was very good at making homemade things, organic stuff.”
“She was always ready to help colleagues,” he added. “If someone had to stay a little longer, she was up for it.”“She was always ready to help colleagues,” he added. “If someone had to stay a little longer, she was up for it.”
Ms. Vansteenkiste had two children and two grandchildren, ages 4 and 1.Ms. Vansteenkiste had two children and two grandchildren, ages 4 and 1.
She lived in Gesves, a small town about 50 miles south of Brussels. At a memorial on Saturday evening, the town’s mayor called on residents “to not be guided by fear” after the Brussels attacks.She lived in Gesves, a small town about 50 miles south of Brussels. At a memorial on Saturday evening, the town’s mayor called on residents “to not be guided by fear” after the Brussels attacks.
Then he read aloud a message from Ms. Vansteenkiste’s son, Laurens Van Calster, that was posted on Facebook: “Goodbye Mom, I’d so love to hug you as we used to and smell your scent, hear your voice. It will take time to accept. But we’re strong — we get that from you — and we take care of each other, don’t worry. I love you.” Then he read aloud a message from Ms. Vansteenkiste’s daughter, Jesca Van Calster, that was posted on Facebook: “Goodbye Mom, I’d so love to hug you as we used to and smell your scent, hear your voice. It will take time to accept. But we’re strong — we get that from you — and we take care of each other, don’t worry. I love you.”