MONTREAL – A Montreal woman killed by a slab of concrete as she was about to eat a belated birthday dinner was remembered warmly yesterday for her smile as well as a burning desire to advance her career.

To celebrate her 33rd birthday, Lea Guilbeault and her husband, Hani Beitinjaneh, went to a sushi restaurant on the ground floor of a highrise building in downtown Montreal on Thursday evening.

But a concrete slab weighing approximately 270 kilograms came crashing down 17 storeys, smashing through the atrium window of the Mikasa Sushi Bar.

"We don't have the words to describe what we're feeling," said Suzanne Carrier, a colleague of Guilbeault's at a financial institution, as she fought back tears.

"She was always smiling, she was very appreciated by her colleagues.

"She was ambitious, she had a bachelor of commerce from Concordia University and was continuing her courses to become a certified financial planner."

As friends and relatives tried to come to grips with the tragedy, the Quebec agency that enforces building safety tried to determine what caused the concrete to snap free from its metal anchors.

Christine Grant of the Régie du bâtiment said no complaints had been filed about the 42-year-old building, which houses the downtown Marriott Residence Inn. Grant said it was too early to tell what happened and that a thorough investigation was necessary.

Files show the last inspection of the building occurred in March 2000, the agency said.

That is far too long, according to Adel Hanna, an engineering professor at Concordia University.

"I would say a building over 30 years old should be inspected ... say, every second year," Hanna said.

Deputy fire chief Ronald Dubeau told reporters there were initial signs of corrosion in the area, while an engineer at the scene remarked that other panels might be loose.

Beitinjaneh was treated for severe shock as well as injuries to a hand. Montreal police reported he may have lost some fingers.

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A Marriott spokesman said the chain manages the facility.

It was not clear who owns the building, but Grant said the owner is responsible for ensuring the structure's safety.