This is Millvina Dean, known as Vera, and up until yesterday she was the oldest living survivor of the Titanic. She died yesterday at the age of 97.
Vera was only two months old when she and her brother and parents climbed aboard the Titanic as third-class passengers on their way from England to a new life in Wichita Kansas, which shall be known as Mistake Number One.
Mistake Number Two involved a collision with an iceberg, an impact Vera’s father knew was serious, and he quickly ordered his wife and children up on deck to await a lifeboat.
After Mistake Number Three, which was not having enough lifeboats for all of the passengers, Vera’s mother thought she would fulfill her husband’s dream of living in America, but since she was now widowed with two children, Vera’s mother decided to return to England instead, and so she purchased three tickets on a British Airways Boeing 747.
Because exactly what you want to do with your two small children is climb back on an ocean liner after the one you were on went belly up.
And Vera’s mom was right to worry, because sadly the traumatic experience took the life of Vera, 96 years and ten months later. In the meantime she lived in Southampton England, where she worked as a cartographer, and never married — maybe because those pesky men can’t fit in lifeboats.
MariaV says
June 1, 2009 at 10:09 amRest in peace, Vera.
zelzee says
June 1, 2009 at 11:15 amLook at that……….only three mistakes in life and you’re a gonner.
For sure I’m not getting married a third time!!!
Florida Liz says
June 1, 2009 at 11:25 amWay to show ’em Toots.. er Vera. Being in the middle of an ocean sans being a fish.. nope, not for me. I’ve had dreams where I could fly – I’ll take a plane over a cruise ship any day. I’ve had dreams of being in large amounts of water that don’t end without some drowning theme. Hence Poseidon, Titanic, even a cheery Disney theme can’t entice me onto a ship.. too futzing many accidents. I don’t even like iceberg lettuce!
Momo Fali says
June 1, 2009 at 11:30 amOr, Robin Williams.
Kelly says
June 1, 2009 at 12:26 pmYou crack me the hell up sometimes… hope all is well… Hugs from me and Jeff…
Amber Star says
June 1, 2009 at 1:36 pmNote that she became a cartographer…map maker, so she would know where any odd little dangers there might be on land or sea. I’m thinking that was a wise decision….and probably extended her life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartography
Debby says
June 1, 2009 at 1:39 pmRIP indeed! And #3 Florida Liz, planes aren’t all that safe either. I’d much rather be cruising. In the warm Caribbean….
Domesic Goddess (in training) says
June 1, 2009 at 2:30 pmSeriously, after the first picture, I was thinking Tootsie turns 100!!!!
foolery says
June 1, 2009 at 2:46 pm“Vera, what has become of you?” (wonder who’ll get that reference)
My grandmother and her parents made the crossing a year earlier. She lived into her 90s, too. Coincidence? I think n– PROBABLY. : )
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
June 1, 2009 at 3:00 pmThat Millvina is one lucky lady. One shipwreck, no husbands, and lived to be 97.
Others among us have a different sort of luck, where different sort of = bad. One trainwreck and some ex-husbands who make us feel like we’re 97.
Reeb says
June 1, 2009 at 3:33 pmBossy, when I die I want you to write my obit in pictures and commentary. I’ve had several looks over the years that just beg to be mocked!
Reeb says
June 1, 2009 at 3:35 pmAnd on a downer note, ice bergs vs planes, I hear that just today an Air France plane seems to be lost en route from Brazil. Lightning = ice bergs. Very, very sad.
Reeb says
June 1, 2009 at 3:36 pmJust can’t stop.
Maybe Dustin can do a life story of Vera. Or he can be her from age 70 on…
carma says
June 1, 2009 at 3:45 pmshe never married? ’nuff said…
Deidre says
June 1, 2009 at 4:41 pmShe does have an uncanny resemblance to Tootsie.
the cheap chick says
June 1, 2009 at 4:52 pmSomething I can cross off my bucket list – don’t run into an iceberg whilst crossing the Atlantic. Whew! Only 99 more to go!
clickmom says
June 1, 2009 at 8:32 pmNo one even told Vera that she was a titanic survivor until she was 8! Those were the pre-morning talk show circuit days.
janet says
June 2, 2009 at 10:11 amYou say she was the oldest living survivor. She must also be (close to) the youngest, which would make her trhe only?
Auds at Barking Mad says
June 3, 2009 at 12:28 pmSo what lesson have we learned from her life?
Leaving the Motherland (I’m referring to England, and being that my hubby is English, he fully admits that by marrying American women they are taking back ownership, one marriage at a time! *lol) was a bad idea and that being a cartographer could possibly contribute to longevity…either that or never marrying.