Mrs Wadi’ah NAKID

Who was Mrs Wadi’ah NAKID?

Mrs Wadi’ah NAKID was a 19 (nineteen) year-old Syrian/Lebanese passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on November 18, 1892, in Ihdin, Zaghartā, Lebanon, she embarked on a journey that would change her life forever.

Early Life and Background

Wadi’ah was born to Mikhā’īl Muawwad and his wife. She had three known siblings: Buddy, James, and Michael. At a young age, she married Sa’īd Antūn Nakid, who was born in 1891 and hailed from the same village. The couple welcomed their first child, Mariayam, in the spring of 1911.

The Decision to Emigrate

What prompted the Nakid family to leave Lebanon?

The Nakid family’s decision to emigrate was influenced by Wadi’ah’s mother-in-law, Cattur Habīb Nakid, who was already living in Waterbury, Connecticut. The young family, consisting of Wadi’ah, Sa’īd, and their infant daughter Mariayam, decided to join her and start a new life in America.

Titanic Journey

To reach their destination, the Nakid family boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France. They traveled as third-class passengers, with their ticket (number 2653) costing £15 14s 10d.

What was life like for third-class passengers on the Titanic?

Third-class accommodations on the Titanic, while basic, were considered superior to those on other ships of the era. Passengers like the Nakids would have had access to:

• Shared bathrooms
• Simple but filling meals
• Basic recreational facilities

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg, leading to one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history. The Nakid family found themselves in a life-threatening situation.

Sa’īd Nakid later described their rescue as being in “one of the last [boats] to leave the ship.”

This statement suggests that the family experienced the full terror of the sinking before their eventual rescue.

Survival and Immediate Aftermath

As survivors, Wadi’ah, Sa’īd, and Mariayam were among the lucky few third-class passengers to escape the disaster. Upon arrival in New York, they received care at St. Vincent’s Hospital and were provided with clothing and $62.30 in financial assistance.

How did the family reunite with their relatives?

Wadi’ah’s mother-in-law, unaware that her son and his family were aboard the Titanic, rushed to New York upon learning of their survival. This reunion must have been both joyous and emotional, given the circumstances.

Life After the Titanic

The Nakid family settled in Waterbury, Connecticut, where they began to build their new life. They anglicized their surname to “Nackid,” and Wadi’ah became known as Mary.

Tragedy Strikes Again

Sadly, the family’s trials were not over. On July 30, 1912, just months after surviving the Titanic disaster, their daughter Mariayam died of meningitis. She holds the somber distinction of being the first among the 712 Titanic survivors to pass away.

Building a New Life

Despite the hardships, Mary and Sa’īd persevered. They had five more children:

1. Thomas (1913-1962)
2. John A. (1917-1966)
3. Catherine (1921-1954)
4. Anthony Thomas (1923-2001)
5. Frederick R. (1926-1988)

By 1920, the family was living at 52 Bridge Street in Waterbury. However, tragedy struck again when Sa’īd died on December 30, 1926, at the young age of 35, leaving Mary a widow with five children.

Later Years and Legacy

Mary Nackid never remarried. She raised her children alone, moving several times within Waterbury:

Her sons, John and Thomas, followed in their father’s footsteps and worked in the brass trade.

Mary passed away on January 23, 1963, at the age of 70 (seventy) in St. Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury. She was buried alongside her husband in Calvary Cemetery.

What is Mrs Wadi’ah NAKID’s lasting impact?

Despite facing numerous hardships, including the Titanic disaster, the loss of a child, and early widowhood, Mary Nackid’s resilience is evident in her long life and the family she raised. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the immigrant experience in early 20th century America.

Today, Mary’s legacy lives on through her numerous descendants in the Waterbury area, each carrying a piece of her extraordinary story of survival and perseverance.