Miss Mari Aina Jussila

Who was Mari Aina Jussila?

Mari Aina Jussila was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old Finnish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in 1891, she was a third-class passenger and servant by profession, embarking on a journey that would tragically end her young life.

Early Life and Background

Finnish Roots

Mari Aina Jussila hailed from Paavola, Oulu, Finland. She was the daughter of Ilkka and Sofia Jussila, part of a large family that included at least six younger siblings. Her Finnish heritage played a significant role in shaping her life and ultimately her fate.

A Servant’s Journey

By the age of 21 (twenty-one), Mari had taken up the profession of a servant. This occupation was common for young women of her time and social class, often providing opportunities for travel and employment abroad.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Mari Aina Jussila on the Titanic?

Mari Aina Jussila boarded the Titanic at Southampton with a specific purpose in mind. She and her sister Katriina were traveling to New York to visit an uncle who operated a Finnish employment agency. This journey represented not just a family visit, but potentially new opportunities for work and a better life in America.

Ticket and Accommodation Details

• Class: Third Class
• Ticket Number: 4137
• Fare: £9 16s 10d

Mari’s third-class ticket cost £9 16s 10d, a significant sum for a young servant. This investment in her future tragically never came to fruition.

The Fateful Night

What Happened to Mari Aina Jussila During the Sinking?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Mari Aina Jussila found herself in a perilous situation. As a third-class passenger, her chances of survival were significantly reduced due to limited access to lifeboats and the ship’s upper decks.

Both women died in the sinking, their bodies were never found.

This stark statement encapsulates the tragic fate of Mari and her sister Katriina. They joined the ranks of many third-class victims who perished in the disaster.

Aftermath and Legacy

Financial Impact on the Jussila Family

The loss of Mari Aina and her sister Katriina had both emotional and financial repercussions for their family:

• Ilkka and Sofia Jussila received £75 in compensation for the loss of both daughters
• An additional £10 was provided from the Daily Telegraph fund (UK)
• The Red Cross Fund allocated $100 to the family

The Red Cross Report

The Red Cross report provides a poignant glimpse into the circumstances of the Jussila sisters:

No. 226. (Finnish) Two sisters, 22 and 18 years old, were drowned, while coming to take positions here at domestic service. Their parents and six younger brothers and sisters were dependent, in part, upon their earnings. They had with them 670 Finnish marks and clothing valued at 450 Finnish marks, all of which was lost.

This report highlights the economic impact of their loss, not just on the sisters themselves, but on their entire family who depended on their potential earnings.

A Life Cut Short

Mari Aina Jussila’s life ended abruptly at the age of 21 (twenty-one) on April 15, 1912. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster, and the dreams of a better future that sank with the ship. While her journey was tragically cut short, her memory lives on as part of the enduring narrative of the Titanic’s fateful voyage.