Mrs Juliette Marie Louise Laroche

Who was Juliette Marie Louise Laroche?

Juliette Marie Louise Laroche was a 22 (twenty-two) year-old French passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. As a second-class passenger, she embarked on this ill-fated journey with her husband and two young daughters, carrying with her an unborn child and hopes for a new life.

Early Life and Background

Born on October 20, 1889, in Paris, France, Juliette came from a family involved in the wine trade. Her father, Monsieur Andre Charles Lafargue, was a wine seller from Villejuif, France. Juliette’s early life was marked by tragedy when she lost her mother, Celestine Marie Louise Amélie Reynaud, at a young age in 1899.

Marriage and Family

• Married to Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche on March 18, 1908, in Paris
• Mother to two daughters: Louise Laroche and Simonne Marie Anne Andrée Laroche
• Pregnant with her third child during the Titanic voyage

The Titanic Journey

Why did the Laroche family board the Titanic?

The Laroche family boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, seeking a new beginning in Haiti, Joseph’s homeland. Their decision to travel on the Titanic was influenced by several factors:

1. Racial discrimination Joseph faced in France
2. The desire for better opportunities for their growing family
3. The allure of the brand-new, “unsinkable” Titanic

Ticket and Accommodation Details

Fate During the Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg, Juliette’s life changed forever. In the chaos of the sinking ship, she was separated from her husband, Joseph, who tragically perished in the disaster.

How did Juliette and her children survive?

Juliette and her two daughters were among the fortunate survivors, likely rescued by Lifeboat 10. This harrowing experience left Juliette a widow and single mother at the age of 22, facing an uncertain future in a foreign land.

The survival of Juliette and her children stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of those who lived through the Titanic disaster.

Life After the Titanic

Return to France

Following the tragedy, Juliette returned to her native France, where she gave birth to her third child, a son named Joseph, in honor of her late husband.

Long Life and Legacy

Juliette Laroche lived a remarkably long life, passing away on January 10, 1980, in Paris at the age of 90 (ninety). Her story of survival and perseverance has become an integral part of the Titanic’s complex legacy, highlighting the human stories behind the infamous maritime disaster.

Juliette Laroche: A Symbol of Resilience

Juliette Marie Louise Laroche’s life encapsulates a tale of love, loss, and extraordinary resilience. From a young Parisian woman to a Titanic survivor, and finally, a nonagenarian who lived to see the world change dramatically, Juliette’s story continues to captivate those interested in the human aspects of historical events. Her experience aboard the Titanic serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.