Phyliss Kelly spent her early days on a farm near Walbundrie, then lived for a time in Yackandandah before moving to one of the first houses on William Street in Wodonga.

Her nephew, Tony Newell spoke fondly of his aunt.

"Phyliss is a very caring, thoughtful person," he said.

"Just a lovely soul."

Mr Newell said Ms Kelly travelled New Zealand working as a housemaid with a friend, before returning to Australia during the second world war.

"She told me how she worked as a pay clerk for the Australian Defence Force for the people who broke the Japanese codes," he said.

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Afterwards, the army offered to retrain Ms Kelly in a role of her choosing - nursing.

"It was her career all her life," Mr Newell said.

Ms Kelly worked in a number of places, but her last post was at the Wodonga Base hospital where she was affectionately known as "Sister Kell".

Mr Newell said Ms Kelly stayed independent until she was 99, walking up the street the Wodonga's Henri's Bakery regularly for a meal and chat with the staff.

"They loved her at Henri's when she used to go in," he said.

"It did vary, but I think she got a toasted ham, cheese and pineapple sandwich and coffee.

"Unfortunately a stumble on her last outing left her with a broken hip.

"The staff all knew she had a fall and they donated her birthday cake."

Mr Newell said Ms Kelly was a "remarkable woman" with a century of history and knowledge.

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