Saundra Woolen never thought it would happen.

But as she heard the news late Sunday night of the death of Osama bin Laden — the mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that killed her daughter Tamara Thurman — she rejoiced.

“I never thought they would ever get him,” Woolen said Monday. “I have to say that I jumped for joy when I heard about him being killed last night. He got what he deserved and I have no remorse. Everyone around the world is happy to hear it, too.”

Thurman was on duty at the Pentagon that day nearly a decade ago, when she was killed as a plane flown by terrorist hijackers crashed into the building.

On Sunday night, President Barack Obama surprised the nation with a late-night announcement that bin Laden had been killed in a compound in a small town in Pakistan, where he had apparently been holed up for at least three years. Acting on tips, special operations units and counterterrorism officials tracked his whereabouts for months leading up to the surprise attack.

In the end, bin Laden was killed, apparently after a firefight with U.S. Navy SEALS.

The terror leader’s death at the hands of U.S. military operatives Sunday brings Woolen some peace.

“This won’t bring our loved ones back, but at least we can have some closure,” she said. “I am so glad that we finally, finally got him.”

Gail Williams lost her son, Christopher Winchester, while he was serving his country in Iraq in the aftermath of Sept. 11. The soldier’s mother Monday said she was glad to hear of the death of bin Laden.

“It was a long time coming and I am glad that its over,” Williams said. “Now it’s time to bring our loved ones home. We have accomplished what we set out to do and more. We need them back here for our protection. I appreciate the U.S. Navy SEALS and what they have done. I also appreciate what President Barack Obama said in his closing comment in his speech, when he called us a ‘nation under God.’”

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions said bin Laden’s death is an important victory in the larger struggle.

“Justice has been delivered to bin Laden, and America should take satisfaction of a job well done,” Sessions said. “We are all in debt to the thousands who have given of themselves in this cause. Make no mistake, theirs was a work of the highest importance. While bin Laden’s death is an important victory, there are many other affiliates and terrorists who, at this very moment, are continuing this war against the West, our values, culture and faith. We have the moral duty to continue to defend all we hold dear.”