Doris Crowley Robinson - infant survivor of Eastland Disaster
A generative art recreation of the post-rescue of the Jackson-Crowley family (Eastland Disaster, 1915)
Doris Theresa Crowley Robinson
Note: When she died in 2000, Doris Crowley Robinson may have been one of the last survivors of the Eastland Disater.
Doris Theresa Crowley Robinson lived a remarkable life, having survived one of the worst maritime disasters in American history as an infant. On July 24, 1915, the SS Eastland steamship capsized in the Chicago River, killing 844 passengers and crew members. Six-month-old Doris was aboard with her mother, Florence Crowley, her grandparents Charles and Margaret Jackson, and other relatives.
Remarkably, Doris, her mother, grandparents, and other family members all survived the capsizing and being tossed into the water. Newspaper accounts describe how a police officer passed Doris down to her grandmother in a rescue boat below. Her grandmother had spread out her skirt to catch the baby as she was dropped to safety.
Doris eventually married Walter Joseph Robinson in 1936, and together they raised their family. After living much of her life in New England, Doris and Walter retired to Florida.
By all accounts, Doris lived her post-disaster years to the fullest. She was described as outgoing, friendly and vivacious. She enjoyed being a housewife and mother. Doris helped plan high school reunions in West Haven over the years, keeping connected to her hometown community. Even after Walter passed away in 1991, Doris continued living life on her own terms.
At age 85, Doris moved to Spring Valley, California to be closer to her daughter Georgia West. The next year, Doris passed away due to complications from a series of small strokes.
Born 22 Jan 1915, New Haven County, Connecticut.
Died 22 Sep 2000 San Diego County, California.
Rests in Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery Burial, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.
**Source for information: San Diego Union-Tribune, The (California) 28 September 2000, obit for DORIS T. ROBINSON, GenealogyBank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/0FD964AEE520BBBA-0FD964AEE520BBBA)
