Mrs Leila Meyer: A Titanic Survivor’s Tale

Mrs Leila Meyer was a 25 (twenty-five) year-old American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born Leila Saks on September 28, 1886, in Baltimore, Maryland, she was the daughter of Andrew Saks, founder of the renowned Saks & Co. clothing store. Her journey on the Titanic was marked by tragedy and heroism, ultimately shaping the course of her life.

Early Life and Family Background

Who were Leila Meyer’s parents?

Leila was born into a family deeply rooted in the American retail industry. Her father, Andrew Saks, was a German immigrant who, along with his brother Isidor, founded Saks & Co., a prestigious men’s clothing and dry goods house. Her mother, Jennie Rohl, was a native of Washington, DC, also of German parentage.

Siblings:
- William Andrew (born 1880)
- Horace Andrew (born 1882)
- Leila (born 1886)

By 1905, the Saks family had established themselves in Manhattan, reflecting their rising social and economic status.

Marriage and Life Before the Titanic

In 1909, Leila married Edgar Joseph Meyer, a mechanical engineer and Cornell University alumnus. Edgar’s groundbreaking work in measuring flame propagation velocity in gasoline engines had earned him recognition in his field. The couple welcomed their daughter, Jane, on May 19, 1911.

What was Edgar Meyer’s profession?

Edgar Meyer was not only an accomplished engineer but also a successful businessman. After graduating from Cornell, he joined his brother on Wall Street and became vice president of the Braden Copper Company of New York City.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did the Meyers board the Titanic?

The Meyers’ decision to travel on the Titanic was a hasty one, prompted by the death of Leila’s father, Andrew Saks, on April 8, 1912 - just two days before the ship’s departure. They boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as first-class passengers, holding ticket number PC 17604.

Ticket Details	Value
Class	First Class
Ticket Number	PC 17604
Cost	£82 3s 5d

On the evening before the disaster, fellow survivor Daisy Minahan recalled seeing Mrs. Meyer dining in the Café Parisien among other first-class passengers.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Leila Meyer survive the Titanic sinking?

In the chaos of the sinking, Leila found herself torn between staying with her husband and securing her own safety. She later recounted:

“I tried and tried to get Edgar to come into the lifeboat with me, and pleaded to be allowed to stay behind and wait until he could leave, he not caring to leave before all the women had been saved. Mr. Meyer finally persuaded me to leave, reminding me of our one-year-old child at home.”

Leila was eventually rescued in lifeboat 6, while Edgar remained on board, assisting other women into lifeboats. Tragically, Edgar perished in the disaster, and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Leila’s later life?

Following the disaster, Leila returned to New York and was reunited with her young daughter. Her resilience in the face of tragedy was evident as she rebuilt her life:

Remarriage: On April 30, 1914, Leila married Louis Ranger, a stock broker.
Continued travel: She visited France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK in later years.
Voyages on famous ships: Leila traveled on the Mauretania, Ile De France, Aquitania, and Queen of Bermuda.

Her 1924 passport described her as standing 5'3½" tall, with an oval face, florid complexion, blue eyes, and black hair.

Legacy and Final Years

Leila and her second husband, Louis Ranger, lived at 970 Park Avenue in Manhattan for many years. She passed away on November 27, 1957, at the age of 71 (seventy-one). Her final resting place is in Salem Fields cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

What became of Leila’s daughter, Jane?

Jane Meyer, Leila’s only child, married George A. Stern, a stock broker, in the 1930s. The couple had two daughters:

June (born 1932, later Iseman)
Faith (born 1934)

Jane continued her mother’s legacy, living in New York until her death in 1984.

Leila Meyer’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s impact on individual lives. Her survival and subsequent life journey exemplify the resilience of those who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.