If you were alive on September 11, 2001, you will very likely remember precisely what you were doing, and how you felt, when you heard the horrific news that our nation was under attack by as yet unknown forces. In the aftermath, photos wound their way through media, some of which became iconic images of the horror we experienced that day, images just like this one:

Marcy Borders eventually came to be known as the “Dust Lady,” her iconic 9/11 photo literally encapsulating a thousand words in one quick snapshot. But life was difficult for Marcy following the strikes. After fighting depression and drug and alcohol abuse, demons that plagued Borders for a decade after the attacks on 9/11, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer one year ago, openly wondering if her illness was 9/11 related.

“I’m saying to myself ‘Did this thing ignite cancer cells in me?'” she said. “I definitely believe it because I haven’t had any illnesses. I don’t have high blood pressure…high cholesterol, diabetes.”

Borders told The Jersey Journal at the time that she was struggling to pay off $190,000 in medical bills, as she didn’t have a job or health insurance.

When asked if she ever looked at the “Dust Lady” photo of herself, Borders said she avoided doing so as much as possible.

“I try to take myself from being a victim to being a survivor now. I don’t want to be a victim anymore,” she said.

Forty-two-year-old Borders, a former Bank of America employee, endured chemo to fight the disease, and had been scheduled for surgery this past December. Sadly, she lost her battle yesterday morning. Borders leaves behind two children, and grieving family and friends. Here’s a bit more about that fateful day in September, and its aftermath:

In a FaceBook post yesterday morning, Borders’ brother, Michael Borders, posted this:

“I can’t believe my sister is gone,” said Borders’ brother Michael Borders, in a Facebook post Monday. “In addition to losing so many friends, coworkers, and colleagues on and after that tragic day, the pains from yesteryear (have) found a way to resurface.”

Indeed.

The Dust Lady survived the unspeakable attack on our nation nearly fourteen years ago, but for ten long years she couldn’t outrun the demons that followed and, finally, the beast that is cancer. Rest in peace, Marcy. You will be remembered for eternity.