On Sunday last the town of Windsor was shocked when the news spread that the second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Cupitt, of George-street, had passed away that morning. Ellie May Cupitt was known to almost everybody, and beloved by all, and though it was no secret that she did not enjoy robust health, few people could credit that the report of her sudden death was true. She was on the verge of 16 years of age (15 years and 10 months), and a more gentle and affectionate girl it would be impossible to find. Her temperament was a rare one, and her disposition so sweet that people were unconsciously drawn to her, and it is indeed a sad blow to the parents to lose a daughter so good and so dutiful, and one so bright and intelligent. The cause of death was chronic asthma, which caused heart failure. Very frequent attacks of asthma had caused her parents a great deal of anxiety, but for some time preceding her death she had been fairly free from the complaint, a slight cold being all that was noticeable. Indeed she was about on Saturday, and as she sat on the verandah spoke to several who passed by. Before retiring on Saturday night, apparently quite well, she made her usual preparations to attend Sunday school next morning. But the distressing malady attacked her about 1 a.m. The attack was apparently not more severe than it had been on former occasions, and consequently her parents were not alarmed, though Mr. and Mrs. Cupitt stayed with her in turn. Gradually, however, she grew worse, and at daylight it was thought advisable to go for Dr. Callaghan. Mr. Cupitt hurried for the doctor, but before he returned his daughter had breathed her last, having passed away peacefully and beautifully. A little while before she died she prayed with her mother, and then, at 8 a.m., she swooned, gapped softly, and her gentle spirit fled. The sympathy of the whole district went out to the bereaved parents in the loss of such a good an affectionate girl just as she was budding into womanhood. This was shown by the many letters and telegrams of condolensce and floral tributes they received. The wreaths, many of which were very beautiful, numbered exactly sixty, and were sent by the following, among others: — Mr and Mrs G. Marden, Mrs W. Mullinger, Mr and Mrs G. Grono, Mr and Mrs J. Gardiner, Mr and Mrs L. Pickup and family, Mr and Mrs Henry Cupitt, Mr and Mrs W. Rolfe, Mrs J. Wall and family, Mrs W. Armour, Mr and Mrs J. T. Rowthorn, Mr and Mrs R. Allen and family, Mr and Mrs A. H. Melville and family, Mr and Mrs E. Liddle, Mr and Mrs T. Ross and family, Mr and Mrs E. Mills, Mr and Mrs Green, Mr and Mrs Parry and family, Mr and Mrs T. Chaseling and family, Mr and Mrs H. A. Clements and family, Mrs Canon and family, Mr and Mrs F. Cupitt and family, Mr and Mrs J. Cupitt (Richmond), Mr and Mrs. E. Cupitt and family, Mr and Mrs Manning and family, Mrs J. Cosper (The Terrace), Mr and Mrs W. Mellish, Mr and Mrs J. Allen and family, Mr and Mrs Hunt and family, Mr and Mrs Sowden, and family, Mr and Mrs A. Graham and family, Mr and Mrs P. Molloy and family, Mr and Mrs Sly, Mr and Mrs J. Fewings and family, Mr and Mrs C. Pitfe and family Miss M. Ingram, the Misses F. and J. Hulbert, the Misses E. and M. Betts, the Misses May and Ada Dunstan, Miss E. Lane and Windsor Methodist Sabbath School, Miss Ivy Bennett, Miss Gertie Cupitt, Miss Doris Burton, Miss May Payne, Miss P. Gates, Misses L. and K. Douglas, Miss Farrell, Miss L. Carroll, the Misses Cupitt (Richmond), Mr and Mrs F. Liddle, Mrs Davis, Mrs Farrell and family. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon. A most affecting service was first conducted in the house by the Rev. Henry Jones. It was a beautiful service, and the fervid and earnest words of the minister, and his sympathetic deliverance (though it touched the bereaved ones right to the heart) must have eventually brought comfort to them. The cortege was a very long one. It was headed by Rev. H. Jones, and immediately in front of the hearse marched the children of the Windsor Methodist Sunday-school, in charge of the Superintendent (Mr. John Lane) and the teachers. All the children were much attached to Ellie, and their poignant grief was most touching. The pall-bearers were Messrs J. Ward, J.P., W. J. Gibson, J.P., W. Slaughter, H. Clements, G. Harden, and W. Wood. Arrived at St. Matthew's Church of England, the frail casket containing the mortal remains of one who leaves behind a fragrant memory, was borne into the church by four uncles of the deceased — Messrs Henry and Albert Cuppitt, and Messrs John and James Chaseling. The solemn service for the dead was conducted by Rev S. G. Melding, who also committed the remains to the earth. After the burial service, the Methodist Sunday School children sang 'Safe in the Arms of Jesus,' a favorite hymn of their late companion. The scene at the grave was a very pathetic one, and many a strong man dropped tear for the passing of one so frail and so loveable, and the grief of the relatives, touched tender chords in stout hearts. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. J. W. Chandler, and the coffin was a beautiful one of polished cedar.
'Cupitt, Ellie May (1888–1904)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/cupitt-ellie-may-17427/text29151, accessed 3 December 2024.
1888
New South Wales,
Australia
10 April,
1904
(aged ~ 16)
New South Wales,
Australia
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.