The senior minister at Jannali Anglican Church, where Graham and Diana Reid were very involved members for about 50 years, says there was no warning of impending tragedy.
A similar comment was made by a Miranda Toastmasters Club leader who used to drive the couple's son David home from meetings.
Victor (Graham) Reid, 75, and his wife, Diana, 71, were found dead in a living area and bedroom of their home in Tudar Road, Sutherland, about 8.30am on Tuesday after police responded to a call from David, threatening self-harm.
David was interviewed by police before being taken to Sutherland Hospital and then to a secure unit at Prince of Wales Hospital where he is believed to be receiving treatment for self-inflicted stab wounds.
He is expected to be charged with two counts of murder at a bedside hearing on Wednesday.
His brother Andrew, who is the only other member of the family, was informed of the tragedy on Tuesday.
David, a poker machine programmer with a Botany firm, lived all his life with his parents in their Tudar Road home.
Neighbours described him as "a loner".
Rev Neil Fitzpatrick, the senior minister at Jannali Anglican Church said Graham and Diana had been much loved members of the congregation for about 50 years.
"We are feeling shock and sadness because they were beautiful, gentle people and there was no warning of any problems," he said.
Rev Fitzpatrick said David attended the church as a child, "but we have had no contact with him for about the last 15 years".
Rev Fitzpatrick said David's younger brother Andrew and his family were still members of the congregation.
"He is obviously devastated and we are working hard to care as best we can for him," Rev Fitzpatrick said.
Rev Fitzpatrick said Graham and Diana "had a deep faith in Jesus and served him in many ways".
"They were very involved in church life, such as with the local Mothers Union (MU Australia) and in Bible studies," he said.
"While we are comforted that they are now at home with Jesus, the grief of their loss will last a long time in the hearts of all who knew and loved them."
Rev Fitzpatrick said church members were also praying for the police and emergency service workers, who did important but difficult work.
Miranda Toastmasters Club speechcraft officer, Mike Smith, said he found the tragedy "completely inexplicable".
"It's not anything I ever saw in David," he said.
Mr Smith said claims David poured out feelings of loneliness at Toastmasters were "rubbish".
"Last month, he gave a speech on subject of boredom, which was meant to be - and was - humourous," he said.
"It won the award for best speech, but what he said has been taken out of context."
Mr Smith said David joined Miranda Toastmasters about a year ago "and was starting to learn how to communicate".
Last week, he had started a public speaking course, run by Toastmasters.
Mr Smith said David had given no inkling of family problems.
"The reality is I am probably closer to him than anyone [in Toastmasters]," Mr Smith said.
"I used to drive him him after meetings and he never spoke about his family.
"He is a very quiet guy, he was hard to draw out.
"David is not a person you have long conversations with.
"We mostly talked about what happened at the meetings, who was doing well and what people had done."
Heathcote MP Lee Evans, said Graham Reid had been a member for decades of the local Liberal Party branch.
"He did a lot of work for the party and I was talking to him just before the state election," Mr Evans said. "He was a lovely, lovely man, and I can't believe this has happened."
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