Little ~ Death of Catherine (Kate) Little
DEATH OF MRS. WILLIAM LITTLE. Amongst the citizens of
Ballarat there are few who have been more closely
associated with its progress than Mr. William Little,
J.P., consequently the news of the death of Mrs. Little,
which took place at her residence, Clarendon Street,
Soldiers' Hill, yesterday afternoon, will occasion great
regret, not only amongst the immediate friends of the
lady, but all classes of the community. The late Mrs.
Little had been a sufferer for many years, and during the
past five months had been confined to her room. The
deceased's cheerfulness and resignation never deserted
her, and her end was very peaceful. The cause of death
was an internal tumor. This is the first loss the family
has sustained, and although it was not altogether
unexpected the blow is a severe one. Mrs. Catherine
Walford Little was a sister of Mr. Peter Cazaly, and
arrived in Ballarat with her parents in 1856.The family
proceeded to Mount Weatherboard and having brought a
piano from England Mrs. Little followed the musical
profession for some little time, amongst her pupils being
Mrs. Bath. She was married in 1862 to Mr. William Little,
and has resided in Ballarat ever since. She was a true
friend of the poor, and was widely esteemed by all
sections of the community by reason of her estimable
qualities. A brilliant pianist and organist. The deceased
lady was a cosmopolitan in the truest sense of the word,
and was ever ready to give of her talents irrespective of
class or creed. She was a prominent member of the
Methodist church, and had been closely connected with
Lydiard Street for very many years. She occupied the
position of Mayoress of the City in 1890 and 1891, and
pleasurable recollections of the courteous manner in
which she carried out the duties of her high office are
still retained in the memories of citizens. The late Mrs.
Little occupied a very prominent position in musical
circles, and had been originally a pupil of Griesbach. As
a reader at sight she had few equals and her appearance
at drawing-room entertainments was always welcome. She
assisted in musical matters with her husband for many
years at the Ballarat Town Mission, and occupied the
position of organist to the old Ballarat Philharmonic
Society, about 42 years ago, when the late Mr. A. T.
Turner acted as conductor. She was the first organist of
the Wesley Church, Lydiard Street, when the first pipe
and pedal organ was erected in 1861, and for five years
was organist at St. Paul's Church, Ballarat East. She was
an active worker in connection with the South Street
Competitions when they were practically in their infancy,
and acted as honorary accompanist for several years. She
was an energetic member of the Methodist Dorcas Society,
the Ladies' Art Association and the committee regulating
the competitions for the art scholarships. In fact for
the last 40 years the deceased lady never lost an
opportunity of assisting in every good cause. Her labors
on behalf of charity are well known, and there are many
families who will have reason to regret the death of so
estimable a lady. The late Mrs. Little was a fond wife
and a loving mother, and her sorrowing husband and
children, Miss Trixie Little, Messrs. W. C. and J. C.
Little, will have the deepest sympathy in their
bereavement. The funeral will be strictly private, in
accordance with the express wish of the deceased. |
AN IN MEMORIAM SERVICE. Special reference was made
by the Rev. S. T. Withington in the Lydiard street
Methodist Church yesterday evening to the death of Mrs.
W. Little. Speaking after the sermon, he said he felt
obliged to allude to the loss of one who had been a
member of the church for many years. Mrs. Little was a
woman of great originality and strength of character. She
met in his class, and he always found it refreshing to
hear her speak. She was always bright and hopeful and
buoyant and original in her Christian experience. He need
not speak of her great gifts, especially musical gifts,
which she laid without stint at the service of every good
cause, but he wanted to speak for a moment of her last
days. He had been accustomed for many years to visit the
sick and the dying, but he never met one who faced death
with the unfailing buoyancy and joyfulness and
indomitable Christian courage with which Mrs. Little
faced it. It was not merely that she was patient, and
that she acquiesced in the Divine will under great
suffering, but there was never a shadow of a complaining
word. She was invariably bright and hopeful and cheerful.
It really was a benediction to be with her. Death would
come to all of us, and everything in which we took and
interest would be left behind. Might God grant that in
that moment when we stepped out alone into the great
unknown we might find we were not alone, because Christ
was with us, and that the darkness was not dark, because
we were entering the dawn of that day which would never
end. Might God give us grace that we might all meet death
in the same cheerful, hopeful spirit as Mrs. Little had
met it. |
Created 13 Sep 2012