“Whatever she did, she always put in 110 per cent,” Mr Little said.

“She was my wife and everything was perfect; she was a private person and very loyal and committed to family and work.”

Mrs Little was born, raised and worked her entire life in Wagga. She was 68 years old and was the eldest of three daughters.

She achieved a rare thing during her work life: clocking up 52 years in a single role at a single organisation.

That role was first responder at Wagga Taxis.

The many colleagues and friends she made during her time there became a second family.

“Her work was part of her family,” Mr Little said.

“She went the extra mile to care for regular and varied clientele.

“Her voice recognition and multi-tasking skills ensured everyone was cared for individually.”

Rochelle Gulliford, one of Mrs Little’s daughters, said her mother kept every teenager safe and off the streets when they came back from the pubs.

“She made sure they had a ride home,” Mrs Gulliford said.

Similarly, Annabelle Little, Mrs Little’s daughter-in-law, said love was always being shown.

“The fantastic thing about Jan and Mike is that you always see love between them,” Annabelle said.

“She was always there for family – it didn’t matter which part of the day, she was always there to meet up with the family and talk about what’s going on the kids.

“And she was happy to look after the kids as though they were her own.

“She thrived on looking after and nurturing the children – she was there for family, always.”

Friend and Wagga Taxis colleague Dennis Oke, former first-responder and now a driver, has also paid tribute Mrs Little.

“It is with the utmost sorrow and special condolences to her family that the passing of Jan requires special mention,” Mr Oke said.

He described her as an “extraordinary lady and a true servant to the community of Wagga”.

“She’s really served Wagga in committing to a role for that long – no one does that anymore,” he said.

Mr Oke has been with the company since 2000 and did eight years in the dispatch unit alongside Mrs Little.

He said she was not one who sought the spotlight and simply worked hard.

“She was a strong lady who just went about her business and just showed loyalty and dedication” he said.

“She always made a point to ensure kids to get home, a genuine woman.”

Mr Oke said her priority to family and her commitment to Wagga Taxis would be “remembered by many for a very long time”.

Mrs Little is survived by her husband Mike, son Trevor, two daughters Rochelle and Stacey and seven grandchildren.

A funeral will be held on Monday, September 24 at St Michael’s Cathedral from 10.30am.

While you’re with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each day at 6am from The Daily Advertiser? To make sure you’re up to date with all the Wagga news, sign up here.​​