Miss Marjorie Anne Newell

Who was Marjorie Anne Newell?

Miss Marjorie Anne Newell was a 23 (twenty-three) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on February 12, 1889, in Lexington, Massachusetts, she survived the tragic sinking and went on to live a long, remarkable life, passing away at the age of 103 (one hundred and three) in 1992.

Early Life and Background

Marjorie Anne Newell was born to Arthur Webster Newell and Mary E. Greeley. Growing up in Massachusetts, she developed a passion for music that would shape her future career. Her privileged upbringing allowed her to travel extensively, setting the stage for her fateful journey on the Titanic.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Marjorie on the Titanic?

Marjorie was returning from a trip to the Middle East with her father, Arthur Webster Newell, and her sister, Madeleine Newell. They boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, on April 10, 1912.

What were her accommodations on the ship?

The Newell family traveled in first-class luxury:

• Cabin: D-36 (shared with her sister)
• Father’s Cabin: D-48
• Ticket Number: 35273
• Fare: £113 11s 6d (113 pounds, 11 shillings, and 6 pence)

The Night of the Disaster

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Marjorie’s life changed forever. Here’s how the events unfolded:

1. Marjorie was awakened by a sudden vibration.
2. Her father came to their room, ordering his daughters to dress and go on deck.
3. After seeing one lifeboat safely launched, he placed Marjorie and Madeleine in the next one.
4. Marjorie helped row the half-full lifeboat alongside a male college student.

“I’ll never forget the screams of the drowning. It was absolutely terrible.”

This harrowing experience would stay with Marjorie for the rest of her life, shaping her future and her eventual decision to share her story.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic affect Marjorie’s life?

The Titanic disaster had a profound impact on Marjorie, but she went on to lead a full and accomplished life:

• Married Floyd Robb in 1917
• Raised four children (three daughters and one son)
• Named her son Arthur Newell Robb in memory of her father
• Became a music instructor at Wells College in Aurora, N.Y.
• Taught violin and piano in South Orange, N.J. (1920-1950)
• Co-founded the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Where did Marjorie settle later in life?

Marjorie eventually returned to Massachusetts:

1. Lived in Westport Point
2. Moved to Fall River in 1990

Sharing Her Titanic Story

In her later years, Marjorie began to open up about her Titanic experience:

• At 97 (ninety-seven) years old, she addressed Titanic researchers and historians
• Shared vivid memories of the Titanic’s final hours
• Spoke to honor her father’s bravery and final moments

Her testimony provided valuable insights into the first-class passengers’ experience during the disaster.

Legacy and Final Years

Marjorie Anne Newell Robb passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 11, 1992, at the remarkable age of 103 (one hundred and three). Her legacy includes:

• Being the last remaining first-class survivor of the Titanic
• Buried with her family at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge
• Survived by:
  • 1 son (Westport Point)
  • 3 daughters (including Madeline Crowley and Marjorie Snow)
  • 13 grandchildren

Marjorie’s long life spanned from the Victorian era to the dawn of the internet age, with her Titanic experience serving as a poignant link to one of history’s most famous maritime disasters. Her willingness to share her story in her final years ensured that the memory of that tragic night would be preserved for future generations.