The Public Memorial in Macy’s

Even though my personal memorial plans tend toward “leave no trace”, I’m fascinated by (and maybe a bit jealous of) the ways that other people become memorialized.

 

Recently, this public memorial to two Titanic victims (from Ephemeral New York) grabbed my attention.

 

Photo:  from Ephemeral New York

 

Mr. & Mrs. Straus, owners of Macy’s Department Store in New York City, both perished on the Titanic, choosing to die together rather than be separated–the lifeboats were only accepting women and children, and Mrs. Straus reportedly exited the lifeboat to stay with her husband when she realized that fact.

The eyewitness account (from Ephemeral New York’s story) goes on to say,

They expressed themselves as fully prepared to die, and calmly sat down on steamer chairs on the glass-enclosed Deck A, prepared to meet their fate.

 

This plaque, commissioned and paid for by the employees of Macy’s, was a sign of the respect that the Strauses–who funded an aid society, health insurance, and hot meals for their employees–commanded among the staff.

This plaque can still be seen inside the 34th Street entrance to Macy’s.

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