Miss Phyllis May Quick

Who was Phyllis May Quick?

Miss Phyllis May Quick was a 2 (two) year-old second-class passenger on the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on July 27, 1909, in Plymouth, Devon, she was one of the youngest survivors of the tragic maritime disaster. Her story is a testament to the resilience of youth and the lasting impact of the Titanic on its survivors.

Early Life and Family Background

Phyllis May Quick was born into a working-class family in Plymouth, Devon. Her father, Frederick Charles Quick, worked as a plasterer, while her mother, Jane Quick, took care of the family. Phyllis had an older sister named Winnifred Vera Quick, who was also a Titanic survivor.

A Family’s Journey to America

In 1910, when Phyllis was just an infant, the Quick family made a life-changing decision:

Emigrated from England to Detroit, Michigan
Sought new opportunities in the growing American industrial city
Established a new life in the United States

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did the Quick family board the Titanic?

In early 1912, Jane Quick decided to return to Plymouth with her two young daughters, Phyllis and Winnifred, for a visit to her family. After their stay, the trio prepared to return to America, booking passage on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic.

Key details of their Titanic journey:

Embarkation Point: Southampton
Passenger Class: 2nd Class
Ticket Number: 26360
Fare: £26

On April 10, 1912, 2 (two) year-old Phyllis, along with her mother and sister, boarded the Titanic, unaware of the historic and tragic events that would unfold in the coming days.

Survival and Rescue

How did Phyllis May Quick survive the Titanic disaster?

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, chaos ensued. Fortunately for young Phyllis and her family, they were among those who managed to escape the sinking ship.

The Quick family’s survival was a testament to both luck and the “women and children first” protocol followed during the evacuation.

Rescue details:

Lifeboat: 11
Survival Status: Survived

Phyllis, her mother Jane, and sister Winnifred were all rescued from the frigid North Atlantic waters and eventually made it safely to New York City aboard the RMS Carpathia.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience shape Phyllis’s life?

While Phyllis was too young to have clear memories of the disaster, the event undoubtedly left an indelible mark on her family’s history. After the Titanic, the Quick family returned to their life in Detroit, where Phyllis grew up and began her adult life.

Notable life events:

Worked for a telephone company after leaving school
Married William Austin Murphy (born March 10, 1906)
Had four children
Lived at 3009 Marlborough Street, Detroit

A Tragic End

Sadly, Phyllis May Quick’s life came to a premature and tragic end. On March 15, 1954, at the age of 44 (forty-four), she took her own life at her home in Detroit. The circumstances surrounding this tragic event remain unclear, leaving many to wonder about the long-term psychological impact of surviving such a momentous disaster at such a young age.

Final Resting Place

Detail	Information
Date of Death	March 15, 1954
Age at Death	44 years
Cause of Death	Gunshot wound (self-inflicted)
Burial Location	Mount Olivet Cemetery, Detroit
Burial Details	Section 20, lot 1542
Interment Date	March 18, 1954

Legacy of a Young Survivor

Phyllis May Quick’s life, though cut short, serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching consequences of the Titanic disaster. As one of the youngest survivors, her story highlights the resilience of children in the face of trauma and the complex ways in which such experiences can shape a life’s trajectory.

Today, Phyllis’s grave in Mount Olivet Cemetery stands as a silent testament to a life forever linked to one of history’s most famous maritime tragedies, reminding us of the human stories behind the Titanic’s enduring legacy.