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 extract from the BALLARAT STAR 26 Oct 1903.

AN IN MEMORIAM SERVICE.
(Mrs W. C. (Kate) Little)

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.

The anthem "What are these in white" (Stainer), was rendered by the choir, and Mrs. Little's favorite hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee," was sung by the congregation.

The only visible sign of anything unusual in the church were two large vases on the communion table, filled with flowers of various tints (not only white), because, as Mrs. Little used to remark, she was no longer young. This was the only outward sign of mourning in the church, if mourning it could be called. Mrs. Little particularly requested, too, that no funeral march should be played or sadness displayed, but rather an anthem sung touching Christian hope and duty. One instance alone is sufficient to show the common disinterested thoughtfulness of the deceased lady. Knowing the danger attending gentlemen taking their hats off at the grave-side, she hoped that such would not be done in her own case. This desire was mentioned by the Rev. S. T. Withington, and all at the grave on that cold day gladly replaced their hats. Her directions to her family were minute. The home was to go on as usual without sign of mourning, and without complaining at God's unexplained purposes.

An extract from the BALLARAT STAR 2 Nov 1903.


Created 13 Sep 2012