Well-known Whanganui woman Judith Timpany has suffered a brain haemorrhage and died.
She was found at her Whanganui house on Wednesday, her whangai daughter and family spokeswoman Sarah Helm said. An autopsy was undertaken in Wellington on Thursday.
Ms Timpany, 63, had enjoyed spending time with family over Christmas.
She was found sitting down with a cup of tea and her knitting, a pastime Ms Helm said she loved. As a healthy, fit woman, her death was completely unexpected, and a huge shock to her two daughters, Fiona Mason and Claire Timpany, and her whangai daughters, Ms Helm and Sari Hollekim.
Ms Timpany was a Justice of the Peace, lectured at Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic, and was a district councillor for three years.