Val Coy was a much-loved part of the social fabric of Cronulla.
Walking each day on the Esplanade with her little dog Daisy, Val greeted everyone she passed with a cheerful "good morning".
She once explained to her granddaughter, "I can't pass someone without acknowledging their existence".
Val Coy, who was known by many as the "good morning lady", died on April 23 at the age of 89.
Fittingly, her funeral at Woronora Memorial Park was held on Friday, the eve of this year's Sutherland Shire Relay for Life, for which Val was a passionate worker since its inception 19 years ago.
Val gave out candles to those remembering a loved one and her care and soothing words for each person was touching and extraordinary.
Val and her son Rod were among the original three or four committee members. Today there are 60, and Rod has been the chairman for many years.
The event has raised more than $6.5 million for Cancer Council NSW and, equally as important, raised awareness about the terrible impact cancer has had on so many families.
Rod Coy, who placed a tribute to his mother on the Esplanade last week, said she was an inspiring woman.
"She contributed with her 'good morning' to people's lives and showed them the importance of community," he said.
"People were her energy, her soul. She taught people to connect.
"People have been coming up to me, people I never really knew, to tell me about Mum.
"I watched a young woman looking at the sign and, as she walked away, I saw tears in her eyes.'
One man recalled how, even if he was engrossed in his mobile phone, Val would break through with her cheerful greeting.
When Rod taught outdoor art classes near Zimzala cafe-restaurant, Val gave young women the chance to paint by pushing baby prams up and down the Esplanade.
Val and her husband Les, who died in 1999, lived in an apartment on the edge of the Esplanade.
She is survived by her partner Ken, two children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to Val in the live-streamed opening of last weekend's Relay for Life, which had to be conducted differently due to coronavirus restrictions.
"Val was a dear friend," Mr Morrison said. "She got involved, she made a difference, she had so much energy. she was always encouraging people.
"She was such a dear soul and she is never going to be forgotten."
Zimzala owner Ray Nelson said, "Val was one of the most beautiful people I have met".
"Everyone knew her, she was such a vibrant person and always had a smile on her face," he said.
"She is an enormous loss to our community."
Cronulla MP and Attorney-General Mark Speakman said Val was "one of the greatest stalwarts of the local Liberal Party over many decades".
"Val was passionate, outspoken, happy, caring and loyal and tenacious," he said.
"Polling day at Lilli Pilli will never be the same again.
"She was also very active in charity work, especially the Sutherland Shire Relay for Life."
