Isidor & Ida Straus

 Isidor and Ida Straus, ages 67 and 63, were First Class passengers on the Titanic.

 Isidor was a Co-Owner of Macy's Department Store in New York, one of the wealthiest Men aboard the ship. He and his Wife occupied a suite on C-Deck, C-55-57.

On the night of April 14, 1912, the Strauses donned lifebelts as instructed by the Crew but when orders came for only Women and Children to board the lifeboats (on the port side), Ida felt conflicted. She wanted to stay with Isidor yet she walked toward Lifeboat No. 8, followed by her Maid, Ellen Bird. Ida probably didn't intend getting in but wanted to make sure her Maid did.

At the edge of the deck, Ida stopped, gave a fur lap robe to Ellen, handed her some small jewelry, explained she must get in without her and told her goodbye. Ida then returned to Isidor's side. He had no time to object before she reportedly said, "We have lived together for many years. I will not leave you now," adding, "Where you go, I go." Words differed according to the various survivors who witnessed the scene.

The Strauses soon sat down on deck chairs and they remained on the Boat Deck in Titanic's last moments afloat. Isidor's body was among those later recovered from the sea. Ida was never found. A Memorial to the Strauses was unveiled in New York in 1915 where it is still visited.