The heritage-listed stone house was where Ms Taylor lived, on and off, with her family in the 1960s and consistently when they bought it in the 1980s.

It was also where Ms Taylor, aged 79, died on Saturday, September 5.

"She died suddenly, quickly and peacefully," daughter Alexandra von Rabenau said.

Ms Taylor was born in the Czech Republic in 1936.

Her mother was Czech and her father German.

At the outbreak of World War II, the family escaped Europe and made the journey to Australia.

They lived in a migrant camp at Greta before they settled in Newcastle and opened a licensed restaurant.

It was Ms Taylor's mother, Helena Oberland, who found Tanilba Bay House in the early 1960s and rented it.

The family bought the property to save it from demolition with Ms Taylor later opening it to the public.

Ms von Rabenau, which is Ms Taylor's maiden name, said her mother was known as a strong-willed, intelligent woman who called a spade a spade.

She was a great lover of animals, classical music and art.

"My mother meant a lot to people," Ms von Rabenau said.

"If they were in need or in trouble they knew they had a place to go."

Ms Taylor is survived by her daughter and son Christopher Taylor.

Friends and relatives were invited to attend Ms Taylor's funeral at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Hamilton on Saturday, September 12.

Close friends were welcome to Tanilba House after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hunter Animal Rescue were being asked for from the family.