Former Hibberdene scribe Liz mourned
Being a woman of many talents, Liz joined and worked for the Provincial Library Services at its main office.
Elizabeth Coulson (76), former South Coast Herald Hibberdene scribe, died on April 14 after a short illness.
Fondly known as Liz or Libby, she originated from Eshowe where she had the distinction of being Dux of Eshowe High School during her matric year.
She later moved to Colenso where she was employed by Eskom and was notably the first woman to work in the Colenso test department of Eskom.
Later she moved to Ogies where she worked as an assistant to various pharmacists.
Being a woman of many talents, Liz joined and worked for the Provincial Library Services at its main office.
She met and later married her soulmate, Steve, who was blessed to have her as his partner for life.
Liz was one of the finest proofreaders at the Herald.
She was also the Herald’s Hibberdene neighbourhood news scribe for many a year, and continued to write even after her retirement.
Liz worked at the Herald for more than 10 years, and as a proofreader, not much got past her eagle eye.
She started out in the “bowels” of production, as she referred to it, before moving upstairs to editorial.
It was there that everyone, and not just production, got to experience her fantastic, if slightly wicked, sense of humour.
Liz was a dedicated and active Lion and a valued member of the Hibberdene Lions Club.
She was also highly involved in Lions Operation Brightsight on the South Coast as it was she who facilitated the booking and fitments for those people who would otherwise not be able to afford eye tests and spectacles.
One of her absolute favourite things to do was help at the Lions Clinic.
On Wednesday mornings, come hell or high water, Liz was at the clinic.
The paper could wait, the printers could wait, the readers could wait.
The patients at the clinic came first and needed to be served.
At the Herald, she became famous for a number of expressions, including “Strewth” and “Dear Boy”.
But perhaps her most famous was “Ghastly”.
“That’s quite ghastly!” she would say, and it could refer to a lot of different things.
There are still journalists today, who have moved on to other papers and areas, who use the word.
Liz was meticulous in her work and would not let anyone or anything distract her from finishing something properly.
First though, she would have a cup of coffee in her blue and white Sagittarius mug – black coffee, no sugar and few drops of milk.
Liz spoke about her family often, sharing interesting stories.
She will be sorely missed.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
