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Kathleen Letters: a life of dedication to Armidale and its University

July 28, 2006

Letters.thumb.jpgMrs Kathleen Letters, the last surviving person associated with the foundation of the University of New England in 1938, died in Armidale on Tuesday at the age of 96.

Her late husband, Frank Letters, was the foundation lecturer in Classics at the New England University College, and later became Professor. His scholarship was recognised world-wide.

Mrs Letters was an acclaimed musician, artist, local historian and writer. She came to Armidale with an established reputation as a violinist in Sydney, and was particularly well-known for her ABC broadcasts. She continued to record concerts during the 1940s, using a phone link from St Peter’s Cathedral to the ABC’s Sydney studios.

She made an enormous contribution to the development of music in Armidale. In 1983, UNE awarded her an honorary Master’s degree in Music for her contribution to the University and the community.

Mrs Letters studied art at the Old Teacher’s College, held 13 solo exhibitions in Armidale, Sydney and Brisbane, and continued to paint well into her later years.

She took great pride in the part her husband had played in the establishment of UNE. At the age of 83 she learnt computer skills through a course at the University of the Third Age, bought a second-hand computer, and used it to write History Will Out, an account of her husband’s career and the early days of the University. It was published in 1987.

A vital and enthusiastic member of the Armidale community for 68 years, she is survived by her daughters Margaret, Helen, Leonore, and Frances, 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral at 11am on Tuesday August 1.

PHOTO: Danieli Studios.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at July 28, 2006 10:04 AM