Mrs Mary Hélène Douglas

Who was Mary Hélène Douglas?

Mrs Mary Hélène Douglas, also known as ‘Zette’, was a 27 (twenty-seven) year-old first-class passenger and survivor of the Titanic disaster. Born on April 4, 1885, in Montréal, Québec, she came from a wealthy Canadian family and experienced a life of privilege, tragedy, and resilience.

Early Life and Background

A Privileged Upbringing

Mary Hélène, nicknamed ‘Zette’, was raised in the affluent Square Mile district of Montréal. She was the daughter of James Baxter, a wealthy diamond merchant and banker of Irish descent, and Hélène Baxter, who came from a prominent Québécois family.

Born: April 4, 1885
Nationality: Canadian
Siblings:
- James (b. January 25, 1875)
- Quigg Edmond Baxter (b. July 4, 1887)

‘Zette received her education in convent schools and was a devout Catholic. Interestingly, she and her siblings were bilingual, speaking English to their Protestant father and French to their Catholic mother.

Family Scandal and Loss

The Baxter family’s reputation suffered a significant blow in 1900 when ‘Zette’s father was:

Arrested
Charged
Convicted of embezzlement from his bank

This led to his imprisonment and subsequent death in January 1905 at the family’s St Famille Street residence. Despite this scandal, James Baxter left his family comfortably provided for.

Marriage and Early Adulthood

A Controversial Union

On January 15, 1908, ‘Zette married Frederick Charles Douglas, a physician of Scottish descent and Protestant faith. Their marriage was considered newsworthy due to its interdenominational nature, especially as Archbishop Bruchesi soon after moved to ban such marriages in Québec.

Financial Independence and Marital Strain

‘Zette’s mother played a significant role in the couple’s early years:

Financed a medical clinic on St. Famille Street for Dr. Douglas
Paid for his post-graduate studies in London in 1910

However, this financial assistance reportedly caused strain within the marriage. By 1911, the couple was living at 33 St Famille Street, the Baxter family residence.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Mary Hélène Douglas board the Titanic?

In October 1911, ‘Zette decided to travel to Europe with her mother to join her younger brother Quigg, who had been coaching and playing hockey in Switzerland and France. This decision was reportedly against her husband’s wishes.

Titanic Boarding Details

Class: 1st Class
Ticket Number: 17558
Cabin: B58/60
Embarked: Cherbourg
Fare: £247 10s (£247 10 shillings)

‘Zette boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg with her mother and brother. Interestingly, her brother Quigg had smuggled aboard his clandestine lover, a Belgian cabaret performer he had met in Brussels.

The Night of the Disaster

What was Mary Hélène’s experience during the Titanic’s sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, ‘Zette was in her cabin when the Titanic struck the iceberg. She recounted her experience:

“I was in my cabin when the impact took place. I heard someone say the boat was going down and went up on deck to see what all the hubbub, which suddenly arose, was about.”

Initially reassured by the playing of the band, ‘Zette’s perception of the situation quickly changed as lifeboats began to be lowered. She was separated from her mother during the evacuation but was told by an officer that her mother was already in the boats.

Survival and Rescue

Mrs Douglas and her mother survived the sinking, likely in lifeboat 6. Tragically, her brother Quigg did not survive. After being rescued by the Carpathia, ‘Zette and her mother were met by her elder brother James and stayed at the Astor residence before returning to Montréal.

Life After the Titanic

Health Challenges and Divorce

Upon returning to Montréal, ‘Zette faced several personal challenges:

Contracted a mild case of polio, requiring a leg brace for mobility
Her marriage to Dr. Douglas unraveled in October 1914 due to his infidelity
They were later divorced

Second Marriage and Later Life

After her mother’s passing in 1923, ‘Zette began a new chapter in her life:

Married Edwin Cole Richardson on January 21, 1933
Moved to Redlands, California
Lived at 715 West Clark Street

Mary Hélène’s Final Years

How did Mary Hélène Douglas spend her last years?

According to her nephew, Suzette (as she was known in later life) lived surrounded by “mothballs and memories” in Redlands, California. She passed away on December 31, 1954, at the age of 69 (sixty-nine).

Detail	Information
Date of Death	December 31, 1954
Age at Death	69 years
Place of Death	Redlands, California
Burial Location	Hillside Memorial Park, Redlands (Block Original 05, lot 1041, Space 5)

Her widower, Edwin Cole Richardson, died exactly nine years after her on December 31, 1963. Their remains were cremated and buried side by side, a fitting end to a life marked by both tragedy and resilience.