OBITUARY
Letitia (Letty) Hannah Bartlett
Born: 5 March, 1931
Died: 6 November, 2005
LETTY Bartlett was never happier than when she was doing things for others.
“Letty was in the middle of icing a Christmas cake for a raffle when she had a serious stroke in 1986,” husband, Griff, recalled in a tribute to his darling wife who died at the too-young age of 74 after a long illness.
A great believer in living life to the full, Letty threw herself with optimism and energy into everything she took on.
Mother of five, grandmother of 16, and great-grandmother of four, she was a pillar of strength and support to her family, and a loving wife to Griff.
Their marriage came later in life but Letty and Griff found in each other their soul-mate.
“When I first asked her to marry me, I had to wait 21 years before she said ‘yes’,” said Griff. “But that was the proudest moment of my life.”
While Letty’s many involvements were cut short at such a young age, it is a tribute to her character and spirit that, looking back, her achievements were more than many would accrue in a much longer lifetime.
The Bartletts came to the Yarra Valley in the early 1970s and wasted no time at all in becoming part of the social fabric.
Letty was a firefighter, secretary, communications officer and life member of the Yellingbo Rural Fire Brigade and founding organiser of the Combined Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Upper Yarra Group of Country Fire Brigades, co-founder and life member of the Upper Yarra Community House, a more than competent musician, champion athlete and coach, successful German Shepherd breeder and handler.
In her early years she was an athletics instructor for the YMCA and had many successes on the running track.
She played as second violin in the State Electricity Commission of Victoria Orchestra and was a terrific organiser.
Whether it was organising for a 10-pin bowling club, CFA auxiliary, a rodeo for the Yarra Ranges, a TAFE college campus from its very beginning, art shows for the Melba Centre or Christmas parties for disadvantaged children, Letty did it all with efficiency and style.
Letty was a member of the Australian Institute of Fundraising and one of their Emeritus Members.
She was also a fully qualified printer and an Associate Member of the Institute of Reprographics Technology, a life governor of the Royal Women’s Hospital and involved with detoxification programs with Alcoholics Anonymous.
Even after her stroke, Letty was courageous and worked to regain whatever of her lost abilities she could. She took on art and in 1991 and was awarded a Certificate in the Theory and Practice of Colour.
Griff cared for Letty for 15 years and for the last five years of her life she was a resident at the Yarra Valley Aged Care Facility in Yarra Junction where Griff and her daughter, Janine Terry, say she received the very best care.
Letty continued to give, signing on as an organ donor some years ago.
“It is something Letty was committed to and our hope is that others might read this and be inspired to do the same,” Griff said.
