Arts editor HELEN MUSA writes in memory of Canberra writing icon Marion Mildred Halligan, April 16,1940-February 19, 2024.

The death of Canberra writer Marion Halligan on February 19 at age 83 has elicited an enormous outpouring of grief and appreciation for her life’s work and her unique personality.

Her funeral is on Friday morning.

In her long career Halligan was acknowledged and frequently awarded for both her fiction and nonfiction writing, the latter including a lauded cooking book, The Taste of Memory, and more recently a memoir, Words for Lucy, dedicated to the memory of her daughter, who died in 2004.

Halligan was one of the two Marions (the other was Marion Mahony Griffin) to be honoured when in 2022 the ACT Writers Centre changed its name to simply Marion.

Though born and educated in Newcastle, she was deeply embedded in the literary life of Canberra and, even as her health was failing, she and her partner, the poet John Stokes, were to be seen in attendance and engaging in lively conversation at arts events in Canberra.

A keen advocate for writers, she served as chairperson of the Literature Board of the Australia Council and the Australian National Word Festival and was a member of a group of women writers based in Canberra known as the “Canberra Seven” or “Seven Writers”.

Sue Hines, who was Allen & Unwin’s Group publishing director until her retirement in 2016, says: “I remember so many lovely moments with Marion. Long editorial dinners where I would turn up with six structural questions, or 12, whatever the number, and we’d discuss the issues over nice food and she would often solve the issues there on the spot.

“Or the day I sent my version of her new book’s blurb for her consideration and she replied, delighted, ‘oh, you’ve made my book sound like it’s about something!’

“She was that rare person who saw the editorial process as a joint venture. I loved her books and always wanted them to look appealing – an object worth coveting. She for her part enjoyed every part of the book-making adventure. She loved a launch, and a glass of wine. She was generous with her words and time. And what a terrific gift she was to a literary festival as a result. So, rest in peace, dear friend.

“Let her books be her legacy, and our memories of her form a eulogy to a literary life well lived.”

Board member of Marion, Deb Stevens, remembers her this way: “I have been a fan of Marion Halligan’s books, so, when I became a sales agent representing her publisher Allen & Unwin it was easy for me to sell her new releases to the Canberra and region booksellers.

“Book events, writers festivals and social occasions were the better for her presence and a glass of wine at her kitchen table was simply the best. While Marion’s thoughts and reflections were always wise it was her wit and accompanying chuckle I’ll miss most of all.

“As a board member of Marion, it was my honour to be the person to ask Marion if she would be comfortable with her name being used in the rebranding of ACT Writers Centre. The new name was not only an acknowledgement of her long contribution to Canberra’s literary landscape but also to Marion Mahoney Griffin’s mostly unrecognised input into the formation of our city. A city Marion Halligan embraced for more than 60 years.

“Marion’s deteriorating health didn’t stop her enjoyment of all things literary. Late last year it was a privilege to take her to two ANU Meet the Author events, Bryan Brown and Christos Tsiolkas, two nights running. Both moderators made moving acknowledgements of Marion’s attendance to their audiences. Marion relished the talks about writing and the ideas discussed.

“After the second event we went to dinner at Monster Bar with our author friend Karen Viggers. The night sparkled with good food, wine and conversation. A perfect night for us all.”

Marion Halligan’s funeral service will be at St John’s, Constitution Avenue, Reid, 10am-11.30am, March 1.