Miss Rosalie Bidois was a 47 year old First class passenger travelling aboard Titanic as part of her employment as the maid of the pregnant Madeleine Astor, the wife of John Jacob Astor who was the richest man aboard Titanic. John Jacob and Madeline Astor, along with their servants, Caroline Endres and Victor Robbins boarded Titanic in Cherbourg, France after a trip to Egypt and Europe.

Rosalie Bidois, who was the daughter of Pierre and Rosalie Bidois, was born on Wednesday 10th May 1865 in Jersey, Channel Islands. When old enough to do so, Rosalie and her younger sister Augustine moved to Great Britain to find work, where they appear to have been successful.

In 1900 Rosalie and her sister decided to move to America to secure employment there. Armed with good references, they travelled to America aboard White Star Line’s Cedric. By the time the newlywed John Jacob and Madeline Astor left New York for a trip to Europe and Egypt, Rosalie had gained employment as a maid with the wealthy couple. Rosalie with the Astor’s set sail from New York aboard Olympic in January 1912; in April 1912 they boarded Titanic, Olympics’ sister ship, to take them home.

After the passengers were awoken following the collision with the iceberg, the Astor’s went to the ships gymnasium. Presumably Rosalie joined them. Rosalie, Caroline Endres, and Madeline Astor were all safely placed in the port side boat Lifeboat 4. This was the last time that they saw John Jacob Astor, who along with Victor Robbins lost his life in the sinking.

After the Titanic disaster, Rosalie continued to work as a maid. In 1931 Rosalie met Francois Courtinade who she married on Saturday 6th February 1932 in New York. Sadly later that year Rosalie found out that Francois Courtinade was being unfaithful to her, and although they never actually got divorced or get back together, Rosalie filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery.

At the age of 73, Rosalie died on Saturday 24th September 1938, in a New York hospital. She was buried with her sister, Augustine, at Saint Raymond's Cemetery, Bronx, New York City.

Rosalie Courtinade