Fanny Maria Kelly

Who was Mrs Fanny Maria Kelly?

Mrs Fanny Maria Kelly was a 48-year-old English widow and Titanic survivor who embarked on a fateful journey to New York in 1912. Born in 1863 in Wandsworth, London, she was a resilient woman who had managed a boarding house in London before deciding to join her son in America with her life savings, intending to help him establish a business.

Early Life and Family

Fanny Maria Kelly, née Tozer, came from a large family with a fascinating background:

Born in late 1863 or early 1864 to Charles Tozer, a shoesmith, and Annie Knott
One of thirteen siblings, many of whom tragically did not survive infancy
Grew up in London, with the family residing at 25 Brooks Mews in Hanover by 1871

Her early years were marked by the Victorian era’s harsh realities of infant mortality and large families struggling to make ends meet in London’s bustling streets.

Marriage and Widowhood

How did Fanny’s marital life unfold?

Fanny’s journey into adulthood took a significant turn when she married Richard Henry Kelly on January 17, 1883, at St George’s Parish Church in Middlesex. Richard, an Irish-born jeweller, was described as an “East India precious stone merchant” in the 1891 census. The couple had one son, Richard Charles, born on June 29, 1883.

However, by 1901, Fanny was listed as a widow on the census, managing a boarding house at 22 Upper Bedford Place in Bloomsbury, London. The circumstances of her husband’s death remain a mystery, leaving Fanny to forge ahead as a single mother and businesswoman.

Life Before the Titanic

In the years leading up to her fateful Titanic journey, Fanny continued to work hard:

Managed a boarding house in London
Supported her son Richard, who by 1911 was an unemployed clerk
Maintained family connections, including with her sister Mrs Hamilton in London

What prompted Fanny’s decision to sail on the Titanic?

Fanny’s son Richard had left Britain for New York in March 1912, sparking her own plans to join him. Using the name Florence, she purchased a second-class ticket on the Titanic, carrying with her $8,000 (equivalent to over $200,000 today) – her entire life savings intended to help her son start a business in America.

The Titanic Journey

Fanny’s Titanic experience was both harrowing and miraculous:

Boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912
Shared a cabin with fellow passenger Hilda Slayter
Survived the sinking, rescued by the Carpathia (exact lifeboat unknown, possibly 9, 10, or 13)
Sent a telegram from the Carpathia to her sister in London: “saved cable Dick lost address Fanny”

What was the emotional reunion like between Fanny and her son?

The reunion between Fanny and her son in New York was a poignant moment captured by the press. Initially believed lost, Fanny’s survival brought immense joy to her son, misidentified as James in news reports:

“My mother is saved!” he cried while tears of joy streamed down his face. “I don’t know whether she lost the money or not, and I don’t care so long as I have her.” - New York Herald, April 19, 1912

This heartwarming scene encapsulates the human drama of the Titanic disaster, where the value of life far outweighed any material loss.

Life After the Titanic

Fanny’s post-Titanic life was relatively short but eventful:

Returned to England between September and December 1912
Lived at 32 Bloomsbury Street, London by 1919
Passed away on March 1, 1920, at the age of 56
Death certificate revealed an eight-year battle with diabetes

How did Fanny’s Titanic experience impact her final years?

While we can’t know for certain, the trauma of the Titanic disaster, combined with her pre-existing health condition, likely took a toll on Fanny’s remaining years. Her diabetes, which she had apparently been managing for eight years, may have been exacerbated by the stress of the sinking and its aftermath.

Legacy

Fanny Maria Kelly’s legacy lives on through her son and the annals of Titanic history:

Her son Richard married Myrtle Dorothy Eugenie Curtis in August 1920
Richard and his wife eventually settled in Sydney, Australia, where he died in June 1945
Fanny’s story remains a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors and the enduring bonds of family

Mrs Fanny Maria Kelly’s life, from her humble beginnings in Victorian London to her dramatic survival of the Titanic disaster, embodies the spirit of an era marked by both tragedy and triumph. Her journey across the Atlantic, carrying hopes and dreams for her son’s future, ended in a miracle of survival that touched hearts across the world. Today, she stands as a reminder of the ordinary people whose lives were extraordinarily impacted by one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.