Editorial: The stories Karen Ellett leaves behind

Karen Ellett regularly featured in the pages of the Chronicle.

Stories of ordinary people and what they get up to with their lives are the bread and butter of local journalism.

Karen Ellett graced these pages more than many because she had many stories to tell.

In fact, a search for her name our archive returns 128 items.

Among them are stories of her work in glass art and theatre and between the Chronicle and Midweek we have keenly followed her move to Auckland and pursuit of an acting career.

It was far too early for her obituary.

Her death this week is being felt hard throughout Whanganui and by the many communities she was involved with.

The diverse range of people at her funeral on Friday afternoon will reflect the variety she packed into her life.

Karen was always willing to share her story (she even sent postcards to the Midweek from Auckland) but it was never for self-promotion.

She believed people should do what they could to pursue their dreams and she led by example. She told her story to encourage others and show it was possible.

During a 2015 feature interview she talked about how she was nervous she was preparing to leave Whanganui for Auckland to go acting. But also how determined she was.

"I think if the opportunity is out there, be brave. And trust that if this is your dream you can't turn it down. You owe it to yourself to follow that dream and it will happen," she said.

Then, in a kind of frustrated way, she said; "Not enough people get to follow their true dreams."

Karen did though and we enjoyed following her. She will be missed.