Miss Susan Parker Ryerson

Who was Susan Parker Ryerson?

Susan Parker Ryerson, also known as “Suzette,” was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on August 3, 1890, in Milton, Massachusetts, she was a survivor of the tragic sinking and went on to lead a remarkable life marked by service during World War I and a brief but impactful marriage.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Susan’s family like?

Susan came from a prominent American family:

• Father: Arthur Larned Ryerson (attorney, born 1851)
• Mother: Emily Maria Borie (born 1863)
• Siblings:
  • Arthur Larned (born 1891)
  • Emily Borie (born 1893)
  • Ellen Ashfordby (born 1895)
  • John Borie (born 1898)

The Ryerson family resided in Cooperstown, Springfield, Ostego, New York, as evidenced by the 1910 census.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

What brought the Ryersons to the Titanic?

In April 1912, the Ryerson family was vacationing in Europe when they received devastating news: Susan’s brother Arthur, a Yale undergraduate, had been killed in an automobile accident on April 8, 1912. Cutting their holiday short, the family booked passage on the first available ship - the RMS Titanic.

Details of the Ryersons’ Titanic voyage:

The Ryerson party included:

• Emily Maria Ryerson (mother)
• Emily Borie Ryerson (sister)
• John Borie Ryerson (brother)
• Grace Scott Bowen (servant)
• Victorine Chaudanson (servant)

The Night of the Disaster

How did Susan survive the Titanic sinking?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Susan waited with her family and their servants to board a lifeboat. She was eventually rescued in Lifeboat 4, along with her mother and siblings. Tragically, her father, Arthur Larned Ryerson, was among those lost in the disaster.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Susan’s life?

In the years following the Titanic disaster, Susan:

1. Attended the University of Chicago
2. Lived with her mother at 2700 Lake View Avenue in Chicago

What role did Susan play in World War I?

During World War I, Susan traveled to Europe in June 1917, serving in various capacities:

• Nurse for the Committee of the Fatherless Children of France
• Bacteriologist in an army field hospital
• Ambulance driver, transporting wounded to safety

Her gallantry earned her the Croix de Guerre, a prestigious French military decoration.

A Brief but Meaningful Marriage

While on leave in Paris, Susan met Lieutenant George Washington Patterson III, a Yale graduate and fellow Croix de Guerre recipient. They married in Paris on June 15, 1918.

What was Susan’s life like after the war?

After returning to the USA, Susan and her husband settled in Morristown, New Jersey, where:

• George worked as an editor for The Jerseyman
• Susan engaged in civic duties related to housing and the arts
• She served as secretary of the Morristown Orchestral Society

Tragic Early Death

What led to Susan’s untimely passing?

In a cruel twist of fate, Susan’s life was cut short at the age of 30 (thirty):

• Developed appendicitis while planning a trip to Africa
• Underwent surgery but developed ether pneumonia
• Died from heart failure on January 13, 1921
• Buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, New York

Legacy

Susan Parker Ryerson’s life, though brief, was marked by resilience, service, and tragedy. From surviving one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters to her courageous efforts during World War I, Susan’s story embodies the spirit of her generation. Her legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s far-reaching impact on its survivors and the unforeseen twists of fate that can shape a life.