Mrs Marion Estelle Kenyon

Who was Marion Estelle Kenyon?

Marion Estelle Kenyon was a 40 (forty) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on July 5, 1871, in Hamburg, Iowa, she survived the tragic sinking and lived a long life, passing away at the age of 87 (eighty-seven) on October 3, 1958, in Santa Monica, California.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Marion’s family like?

Marion was born into a large family with strong Pennsylvania roots:

Parents: John Martin Stauffer (1837-1888) and Martha Jane Alberson (1841-1938)
Siblings:
- Etta May (1866-1950)
- Anna Rose (1868-1870)
- Grace Salome (1873-1967)
- Maud Valerie (1876-1980)
- Carl Martin (1879-1882)
- Earl John (1884-1939)
- Frances Elisabeth (1887-1889)

Her father worked as an editor, instilling a sense of literacy and communication in the family. After her father’s death in 1888, Marion moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to work in a millinery shop, showing her independence and entrepreneurial spirit at a young age.

Marion’s Marriages: A Journey of Love and Loss

How many times was Marion married?

Marion Kenyon was married four times throughout her life, each union shaping her journey in unique ways:

Alfred Meinberg (m. February 8, 1898): Her first marriage in Manhattan, which ended in divorce.
Charles Stuart (m. March 19, 1902): A brief union with a Michigan-born man, also ending in divorce.
Frederick Roland Kenyon (m. April 11, 1904): Her most significant marriage, tragically cut short by the Titanic disaster.
Owen Albert Williams (m. December 24, 1916): Her final marriage, which also ended in divorce.

The Titanic Journey

What brought Marion to the Titanic?

In early 1912, Marion and her husband Frederick Roland Kenyon had been enjoying a vacation in Paris and Panama. They boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as first-class passengers, holding ticket number 17464, which cost £51 17s 3d.

“Among their party aboard were Margaret Swift and Dr Alice Leader.”

This detail suggests that the Kenyons were traveling with acquaintances, adding a social element to their journey.

Marion’s Titanic Experience

Detail	Information
Class	First Class
Cabin	D21
Ticket Number	17464
Fare	£51 17s 3d
Port of Embarkation	Southampton

The Night of the Disaster

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Marion and Frederick had retired to their cabin when the Titanic struck the iceberg. They quickly dressed and made their way to the deck. In a heart-wrenching moment, Marion boarded lifeboat 8, but her husband refused to join her, choosing to remain behind to ensure all women and children were safely evacuated.

Marion later recounted her experience in the lifeboat:

“The crewmen were inexperienced, and she and other ladies helped man the oars during the night.”

This testimony highlights the bravery and resourcefulness of the women in the face of disaster.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Marion’s life?

The Titanic tragedy left an indelible mark on Marion’s life:

She lost her husband, Frederick Roland Kenyon, in the disaster.
Marion was pregnant during the voyage but tragically delivered a stillborn child shortly after the disaster.
Following the sinking, she moved to California to be closer to her sisters, Etta and Grace.

Despite these hardships, Marion showed resilience. She remarried in 1916 to Owen Albert Williams, a friend of her late husband. Although this marriage also ended in divorce, Marion continued to forge ahead, living with her family and maintaining the Kenyon name.

Marion’s Later Years

In her later years, Marion lived in Santa Monica, California. The 1930 and 1940 censuses show her living with her mother and sister, Dr. Grace Davis, having reverted to the Kenyon name. This suggests a strong bond with her family and a desire to honor her late husband’s memory.

Marion Estelle Kenyon passed away on October 3, 1958, at the age of 87 (eighty-seven). She was interred at Woodlawn Mausoleum alongside her sister Etta Massie, bringing her remarkable life journey full circle.

Legacy of a Titanic Survivor

Marion Kenyon’s story is a testament to human resilience in the face of tragedy. As one of the first-class survivors of the Titanic, her experiences provide valuable insights into the disaster and its aftermath. Her life, marked by multiple marriages, personal losses, and ultimate survival, offers a unique perspective on early 20th-century American society and the impact of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.