Mrs Lily Alexenia Potter

Who was Lily Alexenia Potter?

Mrs Lily Alexenia Potter was a 56 (fifty-six) year-old American first-class passenger and survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster. Born on August 15, 1855, in Michigan, she was the daughter of Seth Wyle Wilson and Martha A. Thompson. Lily’s remarkable life spanned from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, during which she experienced one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history and went on to dedicate her life to humanitarian causes.

Early Life and Background

A Life of Privilege and Loss

Lily moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1870, where she met and married Thomas Potter Jr. in 1876. Thomas Potter Jr. was a prominent figure in Philadelphia:

Son of a successful oilcloth and linoleum manufacturer
Officer of the National Guard in Pennsylvania
Received a medal of honor for his relief work during the 1889 Johnstown flood

The Potters had three children:

Wilson (born 1880)
Thomas III (born 1887)
Olive (born September 9, 1888)

Tragedy struck the family twice:

In 1894, their eldest son Thomas III died at the age of 17
In 1910, Col. Thomas Potter Jr. passed away at the age of 60

The Titanic Journey

Why did Lily Potter board the Titanic?

In December 1911, the widowed Lily Potter decided to take a European vacation with her daughter, Olive Earnshaw, whose marriage was failing. They were accompanied by Olive’s school friend, Margaret Bechstein Hays from New York City.

The trio’s journey included:

Tours of Italy and the Middle East
A last-minute decision to sail on the Titanic after hearing about its grandeur
Boarding the ship in Cherbourg on the evening of April 10, 1912

Titanic Accommodations and Voyage

Detail	Information
Class	1st Class
Cabin	C50
Ticket Number	11767
Fare	£83 2s

During the voyage, Lily and her companions spent time socializing in the first-class lounge. Despite the calm seas, Lily occasionally suffered from seasickness.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Lily Potter survive the Titanic sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Lily Potter’s quick thinking and decisiveness played a crucial role in her survival:

She felt the ship shudder at 11:40 p.m. and sent Olive and Margaret to investigate
Despite reassurances from a steward, Lily insisted they leave their cabins
She advised the group not to wear corsets, thinking they might impede swimming
The trio, along with Gilbert Milligan Tucker Jr., made their way to the boat deck

Lily and her companions were among the first to board a lifeboat:

“The Captain wants to lighten the boat while repairs are being made,” a seaman told Lily.

They entered Lifeboat 7, which was lowered at 12:45 a.m. Lily’s vivid account of the sinking paints a haunting picture:

“I kept my eyes on the liner and could see six rows of portholes. I looked again and there were five rows, then only four and then I knew she was going down. It was clear and starlit. We who were watching knew that many persons were going to their death when the upper deck neared the level of the water. It was the most tragic sight anyone will ever witness.”

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Lily Potter’s life?

The Titanic disaster profoundly affected Lily Potter, leading her to dedicate much of her remaining life to humanitarian work:

She became very active with the American Red Cross
In 1916, she began volunteer work during World War I
She directed the opening of chapter workrooms, leading volunteers in making supplies for base hospitals overseas
In August 1944, at 88 years old, she was recognized for 27 years of Red Cross work

Lily never took another ocean voyage after the Titanic, stating:

“You can’t go through an experience like that without feeling that you have escaped an awful fate and should not risk the same again.”

Lily Potter’s Legacy

Lily Alexenia Potter’s life was marked by both tragedy and resilience. Her experiences on the Titanic and her subsequent dedication to humanitarian causes left a lasting impact:

She provided vivid, first-hand accounts of the Titanic disaster through occasional interviews
Her volunteer work with the Red Cross spanned nearly three decades
She was recognized as the oldest volunteer in the South-eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross

Lily Potter passed away on January 1, 1954, at the age of 98 (ninety-eight). She was laid to rest at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, alongside her daughter Olive. Her life story serves as a testament to the human capacity for survival and the power of turning personal tragedy into a force for good in the world.