Denise Vanaria as Helen (Nellie) Andrews - Official site of Titanic historian Denise D. Vanaria as Mrs. Thomas Andrews

Dear Denise,

Thank you for coming to our library for your performance. It was absolutely loved by everyone and that was the first standing ovation that our patrons have given to a performer.

With my best wishes,

Kelly Corrado

Coordinator of Adult Services, Special Programs, Publicity, and Promotions
GREENWOOD LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Greenwood Lake, New York 10925

Dear Denise,

Thank you and your staff for a wonderful afternoon. All of my residents have not stopped talking about the event. Will contact you again. You have enriched all of our lives.

God bless you,

BettyAnn D’Anna- Life Enrichment Coordinator

Southland Suites of Melbourne

Melbourne, FL 32935

Dear Ms. Vanaria,

What a splendid program you presented for us the other night. All the attendees hung on your every word and some were visibly moved. Thank you for bringing the story of the Titanic tragedy to life for us.

Polly Sandridge- Friends of the EauGallie Library. EauGallie Florida.

Dear Denise,

On behalf of all the residents at Cameron House, I thank you for such an enjoyable afternoon. Your presentation was informative and delightful and such a positive response from ALL the residants. “It was the best presentation we have seen’, quoted one of our residents. They loved the artifacts and were fascinated by all the information you shared. It was a joy to meet you, and again I thank you for such a wonderful afternoon. We all wish you well and hope to have you back again soon.

Sincerely,

Pat DiGrigoli ,Acivity Director at Cameron House in Lenox, Ma. May 2013

Denise, What a thrill to watch you perform as Mrs. Thomas Andrews at Quail Run Estates yesterday.My wife mentioned to me a few weeks back about your upcoming presentation. We invited another couple who also had an interest in the history of the Titanic.

You were professional, original and convincing. You were also factual which helps beginners to understand how the conditions where at that time. I was impressed.

Thanks, Ben May 2013

Dear Denise,

Your excellent presentation at Noble Horizons on September 7th dredged up many memories for me. Yes, my mother did dress for dinner. On my trip aboard Olympic in 1931, a gala dinner was held to which even we children wore our pretty pink and frilly party dresses. Much time was spent in deck chairs on deck forward near the first stack. The galley must have been beneath that area because of the unpleasant blend of food and black stack smoke at times. It resulted in quiziness or sea sickness. It was a seven day crossing, stopping briefly at Cherbourg to let a few people disembark.

I am aware of the time and attention to detail it took to put on such an interpretation of the Edwardian times and dress and history of the designing of the Titanic. It was thuroughly enjoyable to me and all who saw it.

Sincerely, Anne Brigham

Salisbury, C.T. October 9, 2013

Denise Vanaria (Nellie) 2011

11 comments on “Denise Vanaria as Helen (Nellie) Andrews”

Frankie McElroy says:

March 16, 2010 at 12:40 pm

Denise,

I have just spent the last hour and half, watching videos and I have been so engrossed, I thank you for a most informative and well thought through out site, one I would be quite willing to recommend.

Frankie McElroy

Mrs Andrews says:

March 26, 2010 at 1:05 am

Hello Frankie,

Good to hear from you. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to view the site & comment upon it. It is a work in progress. Please check back frequently as I update & add more information & videos.

Denise (Nellie)

Barbara @ Palos Heights Public Library says:

May 17, 2010 at 9:51 am

Denise,

Thank you for spending time with us yesterday! Our library patrons have shared so many wonderful comments about you and the memorable performance they were treated to.

Barbara
Public Services Librarian
Palos Heights Public Library

Stephanie says:

January 4, 2011 at 2:30 pm

Denise,

I had just found your site while being bored at work looking up information about the Titanic and Mr. Andrews. I am very fascinated by your site with all the information and passion you have for the RMS Titanic and everyone apart of it. I myself have a passion for the RMS Titanic and really want to know more, would be incredible if we were able to go on an expedition at the bottom of the Atlantic and see the actual real Titanic. I love the movie just because it is based off the RMS and the people who were aboard the ship and crew. Would love to chat more with you and learn more. Your site has been bookmarked on my computer so I can look at more videos, pics, and read alot more that I can.

God Bless

Stephanie

Enrique says:

March 3, 2011 at 8:11 am

Hello My name is Enrique, I am spanish man , my english is very bad.
I interesting in the history of Titanic , in concrect the history of tomas Andrews dead in the Titanic 15-4-1912 , i like writte with you , for know it.
No sé porque pero me pasa como a usted, el Titanic me maravilla y más la historia de e ste hombre que fue el diseñad …or del Titanic, yo también soy delineante.
My mail es qquiquedbg@hotmail.com y yo

Mike Jaye Jackson says:

March 6, 2011 at 2:07 pm

While I’m not what you may call a die hard Titanic historian, I am quite interested in history. Your website has given me in depth information about what more I need to research about Titanic. You have assembled quite a bit of information that more people (whether history buffs or not) should take time to review. I wish you the best as you continue to convey the history of the Titanic!

Vanessa Martin says:

December 26, 2011 at 11:34 am

My mother, Vera Gordon, is a cousin of ‘Nellie’ Andrews from both sides of her parents, William Gordon (who was the son of Maria Barbour (sister to John Doherty Barbour) and Robert Gordon. And her mother Euphemia (ne Thorburn) whose mother Euphemia Milne was sister to Elizabeth Milne who was the mother of ‘Nellie’ My mother grew up calling Helen Harland Aunt ‘Nellie’ and knew her daughter Elba well. Vera’s family home was Hilden House, Lisburn which I believe now is a brewery!

Vanessa Martin
vanessamartin99@hotmail.com.

Shawnee Kennedy says:

June 5, 2012 at 9:42 am

Hello Denise. Looking forward to working with you on June 16th 2012. I love the depth you put to Mrs. Thomas Andrews. I have learned so much about the Titanic and Thomas Andrews. I wish you all the best in every thing you do.

Lois Scudero says:

January 27, 2013 at 7:03 pm

Me and my mother (she was the women in the wheel chair) saw both of your performances at the Debary Hall in January 2013. You really brought Mrs. Andrews back to life and we throughly enjoyed hearing about her life with Thomas. Thank you for bringing this production to Debary. You are a gifted performer. You have made Thomas , Helen and Elba Andrews very proud!

Kristen says:

December 22, 2013 at 10:52 pm

I saw a YouTube video of you portraying Nellie. You did a great job performing and telling the viewers about Nellie’s life with Thomas as if you were in her point of view. I’m really impressed. According to my family history research, Thomas is my 23rd cousin 10 times removed. You brought history to life. Cousin Thomas would’ve been proud you. He was what I call a true gentleman, someone who always care about everyone. For a tribute to Thomas based on what you said about him and from what I found in my family, I wrote a children’s book about him, telling them how he is seen as a hero and how he was always around when there’s a problem.

Mrs Andrews says:

May 10, 2016 at 7:25 pm

Thank you Tai for writing in. Please see my reply in regards to the photo posted here. Thank you for your interest & please write again.

11 comments on “Denise Vanaria as Helen (Nellie) Andrews”

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