Wichitan from Honduras joyfully reunited with her mom before losing her in D.C. crash

For years, Honduras native Isabel Cristina Martinez Aldana was not able to see her children who had moved to America in search of jobs and new lives.

Finally, though, they were able to help her obtain a visa, and Aldana flew to Wichita over the holidays to see one of her daughters, Elizabeth Medina.

After what a family friend said was a joyful one-month reunion, Aldana flew to Washington, D.C., to visit another daughter and her family who live in the greater D.C. area.

Aldana was one of 64 people on American Airlines Flight 5342 who were a couple minutes from landing when an Army helicopter collided with their plane, killing everyone on the flight and the three people aboard the helicopter.

Medina’s sister called her to say their mother didn’t arrive at the airport as expected. Then they saw the news and had some initial confusion that the flight may have originated in Kansas City. When they then checked the flight number, they realized it was their mother’s plane.

Aldana planned to stay with her daughter and family until her 70th birthday in April before returning to Puerto Cortes, Honduras, where she lived with one of her sons. She had a large immediate family.

Medina’s family friend, who preferred not to be named, said Medina moved to America well over a decade ago, learned English and became a citizen. She then was able to help her mother obtain the visa.

The friend said it meant so much that Aldana was able to see her daughter before her death.

She said the family is “a very humble, kind, hardworking” one.

Aldana had a simple upbringing and enjoyed seeing what her children accomplished in America. For years, she was determined to visit them here.

There’s a GoFundMe campaign to support Medina.

“This awful loss will take her away from work for a good amount of time and also create major expenses for her,” the campaign site said. “We as a collective family want to help Lizzy while she takes this time to grieve, care for her loved ones, her brothers and sisters, and for the burdens of funerals and other costs surrounding this awful tragedy.”

The site also said Medina regularly helps others and now needs that same support.

“She is unable to carry this burden alone and we are here to support her. She has given so much to so many and we want to give back to her in a way that is desperately needed at this time.”

Medina’s friend has continued checking in on her.

More than once, she has texted to ask how Medina is doing and received this reply:

“I miss my mom.”