Miss Laina Maria Heikkinen

Who was Laina Maria Heikkinen?

Laina Maria Heikkinen was a 16 (sixteen) year-old Finnish passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on January 25, 1896, in Jyväskylä, Finland, Laina’s journey on the ill-fated ship would become a defining moment in her life, shaping her future and leaving an indelible mark on her memory.

Early Life and Background

A Finnish Family’s Story

• Born to Erik Heikkinen and Fredrika Hermantytär
• One of five siblings:
  1. Toivo (1876-1940)
  2. Ida (b. 1879)
  3. Anna (b. 1883)
  4. Tynne

Laina’s father passed away when she was young, leaving the family to face challenges together. Despite her youth, Laina was no stranger to hard work and independence.

First Taste of America

In 1907, at the age of 11 (eleven), Laina embarked on her first journey to the United States. She found employment as a maid in New York, experiencing life in a new country at a tender age. However, the loneliness of being far from home eventually led her back to Finland.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Laina board the Titanic?

Laina’s return to Finland in late 1911 or early 1912 was meant to be temporary. Her initial plan was to convince her sister Tynne to return with her to America. When her mother forbade this, Laina made the fateful decision to return alone.

The Path to Southampton

1. Left home in April 1912
2. Boarded the steamer Polaris at Hangö, Finland
3. Traveled to Hull via Copenhagen
4. Arrived in Southampton

Due to a coal strike, Laina missed her intended ship and was rescheduled to sail on the Titanic as a third-class passenger.

Titanic Ticket Details

The Night of the Disaster

How did Laina survive the Titanic sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Laina was awakened by commotion in the passageway. Hearing shouts about an iceberg, she acted quickly:

1. Dressed in three layers of clothing for warmth
2. Made her way to the deck
3. Entered a lifeboat

Laina spent 6 (six) hours in the lifeboat before being rescued by the Carpathia. Her quick thinking and fortune in securing a spot on a lifeboat ensured her survival.

“She rarely spoke of her experiences on the Titanic, remaining deeply haunted by the memory of the screams of the drowning.”

Life After the Titanic

A New Beginning in America

After arriving in New York, Laina’s journey continued:

• Treated at St. Vincent Hospital with other Finnish survivors
• Spent time in Boston
• Settled briefly in Astoria, Oregon
• Moved to Portland

Marriage and Family

In 1914, Laina married Jacob “Jack” Arvid Penttilä, a fellow Finnish immigrant. Their life together included:

• One daughter, Inez Irene, born on June 8, 1917
• Initial residence in Rose Lodge, Lincoln County
• Move to Columbia City in 1918
• Purchase of property near Clatskanie, Oregon, using Titanic settlement money

Laina’s Later Years

How did the Titanic experience affect Laina’s life?

The trauma of the Titanic disaster lingered with Laina throughout her life. She:

• Never learned to speak English
• Rarely spoke about her Titanic experience
• Often cried in her sleep, haunted by memories

Laina Penttilä, née Heikkinen, passed away on September 9, 1943, at the age of 57 (fifty-seven). She was laid to rest alongside her husband in Stewart Creek Cemetery, Clatskanie.

Legacy

The Next Generation

Laina’s daughter, Inez, carried on her mother’s legacy of resilience:

• Married Gerald Harry Perry in 1938
• Had two daughters, Rosalie and Carolyn
• Visited Finland for the 1952 Olympic Games
• Survived a ship collision during her return journey
• Worked for the State of Oregon
• Served as host chairman for international tourists

Inez Perry passed away on July 8, 2001, in Salem, Oregon, having lived a full life shaped by her mother’s extraordinary history.

Laina Maria Heikkinen’s story serves as a testament to the enduring impact of the Titanic disaster on its survivors and their descendants, a tale of survival, resilience, and the quiet strength of those who carried their experiences with them throughout their lives.