Mrs Mary Alice Holverson

Who was Mary Alice Holverson?

Mary Alice Holverson, née Towner, was an American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic who survived the tragic sinking on April 15, 1912. Born on September 21, 1876, in Bradford, Pennsylvania, she was 35 (thirty-five) years old when she embarked on her fateful journey. Mary Alice’s story is one of survival, loss, and the lasting impact of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family Background

A Pennsylvania Upbringing

Mary Alice was born into a prominent Pennsylvania family. Her father, Harry Luther Towner (1850-1913), was a respected physician, and her mother was Ellen ‘Ella’ Victoria Newell (1853-1882). Mary Alice grew up with two siblings:

• Dana W. Towner (1874-1934)
• Carolyn Belle Towner (1882-1973), later Mrs. Milton Guernsey Berry

Tragedy struck the family early when Mary Alice’s mother passed away in 1882, shortly after giving birth to Carolyn. The young Mary Alice appeared in the 1880 census, residing in Athens, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.

Family Changes and Relocation

After the loss of his first wife, Harry Luther Towner remarried Harriett Kaefer (b. 1872). This union brought two half-siblings into Mary Alice’s life:

1. Clifford Anthony Towner (b. 1891)
2. Winifred Towner (b. 1896)

The family remained in Bradford, Pennsylvania, as evidenced by their appearances in the 1900 and 1910 censuses.

Marriage and Life in New York

On May 5, 1906, Mary Alice married Alexander Oskar Holverson (b. 1869), a salesman from Minnesota, in Manhattan, New York. The couple, who remained childless, established their home at 568 West 149th Street in Manhattan, as recorded in the 1910 census.

The Titanic Journey

A South American Adventure

In late 1911 or early 1912, the Holversons embarked on an extended vacation to South America. They spent considerable time in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before making their way to England.

Embarking on the Titanic

The couple’s return journey to the United States began when they:

1. Arrived in Southampton on April 6, 1912, aboard the Aragon
2. Stayed at the Piccadilly Hotel in London
3. Boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912

As first-class passengers, the Holversons traveled in luxury, having purchased ticket number 113789 for £52.

What Happened to Mary Alice During the Disaster?

Mary Alice Holverson survived the sinking of the Titanic, though the specific lifeboat she escaped in remains unknown. Tragically, her husband Alexander was among the 1,500 souls lost in the disaster. His body was later recovered and returned to New York for burial.

Life After the Titanic

Return to New York and Personal Losses

After the tragedy, Mrs. Holverson returned to New York City, where she:

• Never remarried
• Continued to live in Manhattan, later moving to 509 West 122nd Street
• Experienced the loss of her father on October 15, 1913

Health Struggles and Untimely Death

“Reportedly a poorly lady most of her life, she died from kidney failure on May 2, 1918, aged 41 (forty-one).”

Mary Alice’s life was cut short just six years after surviving the Titanic disaster. She was laid to rest alongside her husband at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.

Legacy and Family

The last of Mary Alice’s siblings, Carolyn, passed away in Washington, D.C. in October 1973, marking the end of an era for the Towner family. Mary Alice Holverson’s story remains a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies behind the Titanic disaster, showcasing both the resilience of survivors and the lasting impact on their lives.

Mary Alice Holverson’s experience as a first-class survivor of the Titanic continues to fascinate historians and enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the lives of those forever changed by that fateful night in April 1912.