Sue Prosser was visited by an angel on the last night that she slept rough in a life dedicated to helping the region's most vulnerable people.
The Newcastle homelessness advocate and long-serving hospitality manager at Soul Hub was not known to do anything by half measures.
When a guest of the city's social enterprise told her once that she could not truly know what it meant to live on the street, Mrs Prosser and her sons began sleeping rough for a week each year in the lead-up to the Sleepout for Soul fundraiser.
Mrs Prosser had been fortunate that she had never fallen on hard times, and had dedicated her life to supporting those who had, but the challenge had struck a chord.
"I used to ask her if she would come home for a shower or a rest," her husband, Rick Prosser, said. "She would say 'No, no no, I have to do this.'"
Even as she underwent major surgery and treatment for cancer, she was compelled to continue the tradition that had begun more than a decade earlier when her son, Luke, had wanted to help people who had fallen on hard times.
Last year, she and her son were staying at The Station in Newcastle when she awoke in the early hours of the morning.
Someone was sleeping rough nearby on the benches surrounded by their belongings, but Mrs Prosser did not recognise them.
When Mrs Prosser passed them on the way to the facilities, they woke up and recognised her.
Mr Prosser's voice broke as he told the story on Sunday.
"Sue," the man had said. "You'll never have to sleep out again. You've done enough."
Mr Prosser, who shared his faith with Mrs Prosser, said it had been a profound moment.
Only seconds later, he said, the man had left before Mrs Prosser discovered who it was, and she was alone again.
Mr Prosser believed it was a sign that his wife - the tireless benefactor and advocate, who spent her life finding ways to help - had been released.
Mrs Prosser returned to the Sleepout for Soul earlier this year, but her illness meant she was unable to sleep out for a final time.
She died late last week after a three-year illness.
She was 55.
Mrs Prosser's life and legacy has been commemorated by an outpouring of grief and support from across the region as the countless lives and organisations that she touched mourn her profound loss.
"Sue Prosser was a local legend, always putting the needs of others before her own," Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said.
"I am devastated to hear of her passing."
Cessnock mayor Dan Watton paid tribute to an "incredible life and legacy".
"I still remember, quite a few years ago now, when I first met Sue while I was working in Newcastle. I would see the work being done through Soul Cafe when it was operating from the old Westpac building on Watt Street, near where I worked," he said.
"What stood out wasn't just the meals being served, but the genuine love, dignity and compassion shown to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Sue didn't just talk about kindness, she lived it every single day."
Lake Macquarie councillor Kate Werner said Mrs Prosser's commitment to the community had left a lasting difference on countless lives.
Mr Prosser has been overwhelmed by the flood of memories at the weekend as a testament to the impact Mrs Prosser's life had on the city and the region.
"She was always a doer," he said. "She wasn't someone to sit around and talk about things. She was action-oriented and you couldn't stop her. You wanted to release her."
"Everyone deserves to do what they love and she was fortunate enough to live her whole life doing what she loved."
Mr Prosser remembered his wife as a woman of singular devotion.
"She broke all the rules," he said, recalling her eagerness to continue supporting others when the coronavirus pandemic threatened to scupper the Sleepout for Soul during lockdown.
"Every day, she was on the ferry over and walking up to Soul. It was like a ghost town. But they would keep coming. Some were fearful and uncertain, but she would give them a hug. You could not stop her, and you didn't want to."
Mr Prosser said he and his family had been inundated with offers of support, but nothing could fill the void left by the life Mrs Prosser led.
"People reach out and ask what they can do," he said. "But, what can you do?"
"We feel very loved and supported. I've had things from people I don't even know about the impact she had on their lives. That's a special thing."
His small consolation was knowing Mrs Prosser's legacy was alive in her children and grandchildren.
"Our eldest granddaughter, Bambi, who is now 12, when she was visiting from her home in Queensland would be up at 5am every morning ready to go to Soul with her grandmother," he said.
"She has been doing it for years. Bambi would take over the place. Every visit she would go in to our general manager Matt Ortiger's office, look around and say 'Matt, this will be mine one day'."
Mrs Prosser's youngest son, Jack, will be following his mum's legacy, serving meals at the Hub every Tuesday and Wednesday, he added.
"We're devastated, but we're thankful," he said, with emotion swelling in his voice. "She was wonderful in every way."
"She was the gift of God to us and she was more than we ever knew."
Preparations are being made for a commemorative celebration of Mrs Prosser's life in the coming weeks. Details will be made available.
