Miss Phyllis May Quick was born in Plymouth, Devon on 27 July 1909, the daughter of Mr Frederick Charles Quick (Plasterer) and Jane Quick and sister to Winifred Vera Quick.
The family had emigrated to Detroit in about 1910 and she returned to Plymouth with her mother and sister early in 1912 for a visit to her mother's family. Their return to America was as second class passengers on the Titanic.
The family were rescued in lifeboat 11.
On leaving school Phyllis worked for a telephone company until her marriage to William Austin Murphy (10 March 1906 - 11 July 11 1989), they had 4 children and lived at 3009 Marlborough Street, Detroit.
Phyllis took her own life by a gunshot wound to the head on 15 March 1954 aged 45, at her home in Detroit. She was interred in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Detroit (Section 20, lot 1542) on 18 March 1954.
Comment and discuss
-
I interested in Phyllis Quick, who was born in 1909 in Plymouth, England. She boarded on the Titanic with her mother Jane Quick (nee Richards) and sister Winifred Quick. All three were rescue in lifeboat 11. In the future Phyllis married William Austin Murphy (when?). They had four children (Does any Phyllis' child still alive?). She died in 1954. Why did she commit suicide? I read that unknown woman wanted kidnap her after Titanic's disaster. True or false? I look for some informations about her life after "unsinkable ship" sinking. Please help me! Magda
-
Dear Magda, Below is my printout on Phyllis - it may be of some help: QUICK, MISS PHYLLIS MAY. Saved in Lifeboat number 11. Born 27th July 1909. Died 15th March 1954, and was buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, Section 20, lot 1542. Family stayed together in lifeboat, Mrs. Quick was adamant that the family would not be separated. (From The Emergency and Relief booklet by the American Red Cross, 1913). Case number 384. (English). A mother 31 years of age, and two small children, coming to join her husband in Michigan lost baggage, insured for $125 and $200 in cash. They received hospital care, clothing, and $100 from other American sources of relief. ($400). Insurance claim B29. Property $3,190. (From the Detroit Journal, April 20, 1912). Mrs. Jane Quick, wife of Frederick Quick 383 Brooklyn Avenue, with her two daughters, one aged eight and the other three years, all survivors of the Titanic, also arrived on the same train with Mrs Hamlin. ...
-
Fascinating informations, Brian! Thanks very much! I'm going to write Quick's family biography, so I your informations are very necessary for me. I've many informations about Jane and Winifred, but I can't gather news about Phyllis life. It's strange for me. Please sent me other info, if you have it. Thanks again! Magda
-
Does anyone has Phyllis, Winifred or Jane's photo? Where can I find their photo?
-
Winifred Quick VanTongerloo died last year. There was an article about her in a recent THS Commutator.
-
Hi Brian and John! I found your informations. Thanks very much! Regards Magda
-
I know that this is foolish question and I don't think that somebody know whether Phyllis left any letter after her suicide. And I wonder about her marriage's date. Magda
-
Is Phyllis Quick buried in the same cemetary as David Vartanian?
-
Hello Darren! Phyllis Quick buried at Mount Olivet Cementery in Detroit, Michigan. David Vartanian buried also in Detroit, but at Woodmere Cementery. Go to his biography in Encyclopedia Titanica, if you want know more. Regards Magda
-
Magda...write to the cemetery and ask for copies of any burial records (use the term "burial records"). Also, as a courtesy, offered to pay the copying costs. I do a lot of genealogical research, and you may surprised at the info you get back. When I did it, I got everything from headstone inscriptions, death certificates, personal letters regarding the burial, etc. Then pull clues from those sources to write to other places for info. This is only if you want to learn more about her past her Titanic ordeal. I guess you can tell I love doing genealogy. I think it is because it is like giant puzzle and I love to solve things.
-
Good advice, Deborah! I've written to the Mount Olivet Cemetery and I'm waiting for answer. I promise I tell you if I get some news. Regards, Magda
-
Hi everyone! I found little article about Phyllis in www saskschools.ca/~wcs/titanic/convertednewspaper.pdf (page 7) Regards, Magda
-
Magda, have you read this article on the Quicks?
-
Mary, I read this interesting article in THS. Very nice, isn't it? Thanks and regards, Magda
-
Thank you all for your research and articles. I am Phyllis' granddaughter, Karen and sadly never got to meet her. I did meet my Aunt Winnie and recall her telling me the story of the baby being thrown into their lifeboat. I had not heard the story about my grandmother being briefly kidnapped, so this was fascinating. Thank you again. Karen
Open Thread Leave a Reply