People who knew Lea Guilbeault, the woman who died Thursday night during a celebratory dinner at Mikasa restaurant, are shocked by her sudden death.
She died when a concrete slab detached from the Marriott Hotel and plunged 18 stories, smashing through the restaurant's glass atrium and landing on Guilbeault.
Her husband, Hani Beitinjaneh, is being treated in hospital and may have lost some fingers.
Friends say the couple met at Vanier's business school, fell in love and were married two years ago this August.
Guilbeault was a financial consultant at the Caisse Desjardins. Her supervisor, Suzanne Carrier, says she and her husband had a wonderful relationship.
"Hani and Lea had a very, very good marriage. They were a very, very good couple."
Guilbeault was on vacation this week, and it was only when her co-workers opened the morning papers that they realized she would not ever return.
"It's been very difficult and we've been stunned since this morning. We're trying to support each other, but we still can't believe it."
Guilbeault's co-workers say she was finishing a course to become a financial planner, and that she was planning to start a family soon.
Beitinjaneh works in the Cinema and Television Support Group at the National Bank. His co-workers and acquaintances are shocked.
The bank released this statement:
"The National Bank financial group and its employees are deeply saddened by the accident that occurred. We want to express our condolences to the families involved, to Mr. Beitinjaneh and those close to him."
Guilbeault's boss says she was an only child and that she and her husband lived in the same building as Guilbeault's parents.
The day after the tragedy Beitinjaneh was at the Montreal General Hospital being treated for injuries to his hands.
There was word he would likely be released by the weekend, but no one from either family was prepared to speak to the media on camera.
