Doña Fermina Oliva Y Ocana

Who was Doña Fermina Oliva y Ocana?

Doña Fermina Oliva y Ocana was a Spanish personal maid who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Madrid in 1872, she was 39 (thirty-nine) years old when she embarked on the ill-fated voyage as a first-class passenger, serving as a maid to Mrs. Victor de Sato de Peñasco y Castellana.

Early Life and Background

A Madrid Native

Doña Fermina Oliva y Ocana was born on October 12, 1872, in Madrid, Spain. Her early life in the Spanish capital likely shaped her future career in service to wealthy families.

Career as a Personal Maid

While details of her early career are scarce, we know that by 1912, Fermina had secured a position as a personal maid to a prominent Spanish family. This role would lead her to embark on a journey that would become one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Fateful Voyage

On April 10, 1912, Doña Fermina boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France, accompanying her employer, Mrs. Victor de Sato de Peñasco y Castellana. As a first-class passenger, Fermina was assigned cabin C105, sharing the luxurious accommodations of the ship’s upper decks.

Titanic Ticket Details

Ticket Number: 17758
Cabin: C105
Class: 1st Class
Fare: £108 18s (£108 and 18 shillings)

The Night of the Sinking

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, Doña Fermina’s quick thinking and possibly her status as a first-class passenger’s maid likely contributed to her survival.

Rescue in Lifeboat 8

Doña Fermina and Mrs. Peñasco y Castellana were among the fortunate passengers to be rescued in lifeboat 8. This lifeboat was one of the earlier ones to be launched, which may have increased their chances of survival.

Life After the Titanic

Arrival in New York

After their rescue by the RMS Carpathia, Doña Fermina and the other survivors disembarked in New York City. For many, including Fermina, this marked the beginning of a life forever changed by the Titanic disaster.

Return to Spain

While we don’t have specific details about her immediate activities after the sinking, we know that Doña Fermina eventually returned to her native Spain.

A Long Life of Solitude

Interestingly, Doña Fermina never married. Whether this was a personal choice or influenced by her experience on the Titanic remains a mystery.

Legacy and Final Years

A Titanic Survivor’s Longevity

Doña Fermina lived a remarkably long life, passing away on May 28, 1969, at the age of 96 (ninety-six). Her longevity meant she was one of the last surviving first-class passengers from the Titanic.

Final Resting Place

Doña Fermina Oliva y Ocana is buried in Cementerio De La Almudena, Madrid, Spain. Her grave can be found in section 136 (also known as section 8F), grave 45 B, providing a tangible link to the Titanic’s history in her home city.

Connections to Other Titanic Passengers

Doña Fermina’s Titanic story is intertwined with that of her employers:

Maria Josefa Perez de Soto y Vallejo Peñasco y Castellana: Fermina’s employer, who also survived the sinking.
Victor Peñasco y Castellana: The husband of Maria Josefa, who unfortunately perished in the disaster.

Doña Fermina Oliva y Ocana’s life, from her birth in Madrid to her survival of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters and her long life thereafter, serves as a poignant reminder of the varied fates of those aboard the RMS Titanic.