Mrs Unicomb died at Green Hills Nursing Home early Sunday morning from complications following a recent stroke.

She was 87.

Mrs Unicomb worked tirelessly as a volunteer for many Maitland charitable organisations and was always by her husband's side until his death on January 16, 1996.

The pair were both honoured with an Order of Australia and were also named as Maitland's Citizens of the Year, Mr Unicomb the city's first recipient of the prestigious award.

Mr Unicomb was Mayor of Maitland for six terms during the 1970s.

The couple's daughter Rhonda Mackey said Mrs Unicomb never stopped and had a insatiable drive to help the less fortunate.

Mrs Unicomb received special recognition for 50 years volunteer service to Red Cross.

"She had a long involvement with Largs School of Arts, Largs P and C Association and the SES when Mr Unicomb was an area controller.

"Both mum and dad were awarded Order of Australia medals and, at the time, they were believed to be the only couple to have received such an honour," Mrs Mackey said.

"Mum kept clarity of mind almost until the end. She was as sharp as a tack," Mrs Mackey said.

Mrs Unicomb is survived by Mrs Mackey.  Her son, Victor, continues to run the family farm Golden Grove, at Largs. The couple's other son, Darren, died in 2014 at age 49.

She also has six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Check Wednesday's Maitland Mercury for funeral details.