June 13, 2009 7:46 am
Trawling through the death notices today, as is my wont, I noticed that Constance E. Little (formerly of Swan Reach and Eagle Point) died yesterday. For regular Age readers, Constance E. Little has been a mainstay of the Letters column where she aired her opinions on everything from John Elliot to global warming. In December 2008 she announced that she would be capping her pen because of ill-health after a stroke.
Most of her letters were sent from her sheep and beef farm on the Tambo River at Swan Reach in south-east Victoria, but her interests and observations ranged far beyond that. She was born on 30.11.1919 in Benalla, and apparently began writing letters for her school paper at the age of 14, later contributing to local, country and metropolitan newspapers over many years. She sounds some lady: her funeral notice asks those planning to attend the Bairnsdale service to “please wear a dash of pink in Connie’s honour”.
Her death notice says “Constance loved all her readers and thanks them and her editors over her lifetime.” I think it is equally true that her readers loved Connie and thank her over a lifetime. If she’s a believer, and if she’ s right, then no doubt she’s giving those beyond the pearly gates a piece of her mind as well. If not, we’re all the better for her writing and her engagement with more earthly things. Vale Constance.
Posted by residentjudge
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To use a young person’s expression, OMG. Vale Connie.
By Andrew on June 13, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I always agreeds with her letters.
bless her soul.
By Ann oDyne on June 13, 2009 at 1:53 pm
How sad that she’s no longer with us.
By Jayne on June 13, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Constance E. Little was always a piece of home whenever I saw her letters in the Saturday Age while I was far away. I knew she wasn’t young when I first encountered her about 30 years ago, and there were times I’ve given thanks she was still with us. Mrs Little had an often unique perspective, but always the right words. She has been missed. Condolences to Janet.
By viva on June 15, 2009 at 6:14 am
Vale Constance E Little
The end of an era! I well remember Constance from the mid 1960s when I lived in Bairnsdale.
Constance was an avid reader and supporter of the local Library, at that time I was a member the staff of the Bairnsdale Library.
Over the years I have enjoyed her wide ranging contributions to the Age.
Constance we salute your memory, and send condolences to your family.
By Margaret Bywater on June 15, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Now we just have to get rid of that other old bat from the Herald Sun. Joan Marshall from Moorabbin, if I recall correctly.
By Andy B on June 16, 2009 at 1:39 pm
omg im so sad i cant belive she has died:( i knew her so well she was such a good friend cryng face, i use to always look in the news paper to see if she had written but know the little old lady is dead 😦 HAHAHAHHAHA jokes im so saddd 😦
xxx
By Alice on August 7, 2009 at 4:37 am
Hello From Connie’s daughter, Janet
By Janet on August 21, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Hello Janet! Your mother gave much pleasure to many people.
By residentjudge on August 21, 2014 at 11:20 pm