( CNN ) -- Anne and Michael Harris were an `` extraordinary '' couple with a zest for life , their niece said . Anne and Michael Harris ' niece says the couple `` loved life , loved everyone . '' `` We truly hope that they are remembered for the way they lived their lives and not this tragic end , '' Charlstie Laytin said in a telephone interview Wednesday . `` We 're all just devastated and going to miss them both so much . '' The Harrises were two of three Americans on board Air France Flight 447 when it crashed Monday . The plane was carrying 228 passengers and crew from Rio de Janeiro to Paris , France , when it crashed four hours into the journey . Investigators have not determined the cause of the accident . An official list with the victims ' names was not available Wednesday afternoon . The Harrises lived in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , Anne Harris ' sister , Mary Miley , said . Michael Harris , 60 , was a geologist in Rio de Janeiro . He worked for Devon Energy , a U.S.-based independent natural gas and oil producer , a company spokesman said . The couple were traveling to Paris for a training seminar and vacation , Miley said . The two `` loved everyone , they loved life , '' Laytin said . `` Definitely glass-half-full kind of people , '' she added , recalling her uncle as a `` ham , '' who could always offer a laugh on a bad day . She remembered a moment a few summers ago when her family was in Vermont , and had just seen a classical performance of Mozart . They were `` just sitting around and having a glass of wine , and laughing and talking about family and life and what was going on in our lives ... [ the Harrises ] could never get enough information about what all their nieces and nephews and family members were doing , '' she said . `` It 's really the last time I can remember us all sitting around as a family and I 'm so glad that I have that memory . '' She said her family was hopeful the investigation would soon determine what had gone wrong . `` I think the initial shock of it all has really started to wear off , and the reality that they 're gone is starting to set in , '' she said . `` The grief and the grieving process is beginning and we 're just really focused on helping each other heal . '' The majority of the people on the flight came from Brazil , France and Germany . The remaining victims were from 29 other countries . Ten were employees of French electrical equipment supplier CGED , according to Agence France-Presse . Nine of those employees had won the trip to Rio from CGED because of their strong work performance , AFP said . `` There was a competition for the best sales reps ... and nine of them won and went to Brazil for four days , '' Laurent Bouveresse , CGED chief executive , told AFP . The nine were allowed to take a friend or partner , and an executive also went along , Bouveresse said , according to the news agency . CNN tried repeatedly to reach representatives of CGED . Two others believed to have been on the flight were an engaged couple , Julia Schmidt of Brazil and Alex Crolow of Germany , the couple 's friend , Brian Buzby of Houston , Texas , told CNN affiliate KTRK . Watch Buzby talk about friends on Flight 447 » . Buzby said he met the two while they were all students at Bucerius Law School in Germany . They finished studies last August , KTRK reported . `` This was Alex taking her back to tell her mom they were going to get married , '' Buzby told KTRK . `` I just hope that they were not suffering , and at least they were together , because I would have hated for one of them to go through it alone , '' Buzby said . `` They were my two best friends . I just hope she knows I loved her , '' Buzby said .
NEW : two French victims won trip to Brazil for job performance , AFP reports . NEW : German victim was taking Brazilian fiancee home to announce engagement . Michael Harris and Anne were 9 of three Americans on Air France flight 447 . The Harrises lived in Brazil and were going to Brazil for vacation , training seminar .