Judy Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Physiotherapy, died earlier this month after a short illness. She was 78.

It was fitting that this highly regarded businesswoman was farewelled at St Peter's Anglican Church, East Maitland - just metres away from the church rectory where she was born.

Mrs Mitchell's father, Keith Single, who later became an Arch Deacon, was the Minister of St Peter's and his daughter was born at the rectory on Armistice or Remembrance Day, November 11, 1940.

Needless to say Armistice Day held special significance for Mrs Mitchell - her father also a World War 1 veteran who served as a Chaplain with the rank of Major at Gallipoli and then in France.

Mrs Mitchell's mother Enid was a secondary school teacher. Her father sadly passed away when she was 10, beginning her life as a boarder at the Newcastle Grammar School.

Mrs Mitchell was a popular member of the school body, excelling both academically and at sport, most notably, swimming. She was also an accomplished pianist and became school captain.

She went on to attend Sydney University studying physiotherapy which she completed in 1961 before working at Royal North Shore and Royal Newcastle hospitals. She then started her own practice at age 26. It was so successful, culminating with in several practices with purpose built gyms and pools, employing many physios in the Lower Hunter.

Mrs Mitchell received several business awards and was instrumental in having physiotherapy taught as a degree at Newcastle University. She continued to work full-time as a physiotherapist until she was 71. It wasn't her age that made retirement necessary, it was the arthritis in her hands and she was furious about it.

Mrs Mitchell married local dairy farmer Robert in 1964. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and excellent family role model.

In 1982, the couple established the NSW Equestrian Centre, to assist training riders in the three Olympic disciplines. They imported stallions from Germany, built an indoor arena, hosted international competitions, won Austrade contracts to sell horses overseas. Their horses and riders won gold medals at both Olympics and world championships; the Barcelona gold medals were celebrated with a formal dinner Mrs Mitchell hosted at home for 600 people.

But after more than 50 years in the area the couple opted for a sea change and moved to Shoal Bay in 2014.

Mrs Mitchell was farewelled at St Peter's on Thursday, July 18.