CLARENCE CENTER , New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama on Friday praised Beverly Eckert , the widow of a September 11 victim and a prominent post-9 / 11 activist , who was one of the passengers who died in a plane crash outside Buffalo , New York . Sean Rooney and wife Beverly Eckert in an undated photograph . `` Beverly lost her husband on 9/11 , '' Obama said , `` and became a tireless advocate for the families whose lives were forever changed on that September day . '' A resident of Stamford , Connecticut , Eckert was the widow of Buffalo native Sean Rooney , who died at the World Trade Center . Obama 's words underscored the shock and grief from friends , family and acquaintances over the news that Eckert was aboard the Continental Connection Flight 3407 . The turboprop plane crashed Thursday , killing all 49 aboard and one person on the ground . `` Tragic events such as these remind us of the fragility of life and the value of every single day . And one person who understood that well was Beverly Eckert , who was on that flight and who I met with just a few days ago , '' Obama said in brief remarks . Obama met Eckert at a gathering of September 11 victims ' families on Friday . Valerie Lucznikowska , a member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows , said she , Eckert and another woman traveled to Washington for the meeting . Lucznikowska said Eckert asked Obama whether the group would have ongoing meetings with his administration . Obama said there would be , even though they would n't necessarily be with him . After the 2001 terrorist attacks , Eckert co-founded Voices of September 11 , an advocate group for survivors and families . Eckert had a reputation as a strong campaigner of September 11 families , involved in protests leading to more land for a ground zero memorial , working on the September 11 Commission 's Family Steering Committee and pushing for a victims ' families compensation fund . She was traveling to Buffalo for a celebration of what would have been her husband 's 58th birthday . Eckert planned to take part in presenting a scholarship award at Canisius High School that was established in honor of her late husband , who was an alumnus , according to the school 's president , John Knight . Obama mentioned the scholarship plans in his remarks Friday . `` In keeping with that passionate commitment , she was on her way to Buffalo to mark what would have been her husband 's birthday and launch a scholarship in his memory . She was an inspiration to me and to so many others , and I pray that her family finds peace and comfort in the hard days ahead , '' Obama said . Lucznikowska , whose nephew died in the World Trade Center attacks , said she was `` horribly saddened by this news . '' `` I would very much like to honor her . She was truly a wonderful person . She was someone who was trying to make society better . '' Eckert backed Peaceful Tomorrows ' effort to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , and end the military commissions there , Lucznikowska said . The group elaborated on this stance in a signed letter to Obama , and Eckert gave a presidential aide a separate letter listing her own concerns , Lucznikowska said . Knight said Canisius High postponed the scholarship presentation , set to occur at noon Friday , for two students entering the high school next fall . He said Eckert also had been active in a capital campaign fundraising effort . `` She struck me as a wonderful , beautiful person who clearly wanted to do something to remember her husband in a way that would have an everlasting impact on our community , '' Knight said . Gordon Felt , president of the Families of Flight 93 Inc. , the plane that crashed near Shanksville , Pennsylvania , on September 11 , also expressed his grief . `` We note with deep sorrow the passing of Beverly Eckert in the Buffalo plane crash . She was a 9/11 family member who brought to light issues of importance to all of us -- and to all Americans . We extend our condolences to her family and to all those who loved her . She will be missed . '' Jay Winuk , a September 11 organizational leader who lost his brother in the World Trade Center , said that although he did not know Eckert personally , `` it is clear that she was a terrific advocate for the 9/11 family community . '' CNN 's Joe Sterling contributed to this report .