Best known for her position at the Ulladulla ExServos Club, where she was well known for her sparkling personality and friendly smile, Tanya passed away at her home in Burrill Lake on January 20, aged 55.

While she had been battling her illness for several years, Tanya didn’t want anyone to know she was sick and remained working at the ExServos where she had been employed since 1990.

Her sister Jackie Rosier said Tanya wanted to keep her illness a secret and was determined to keep working and looking after her horses and dogs for as long as she could.

“She touched people with her bubbly, outgoing and always positive attitude,” Jackie said.

“It has come as a huge shock to many of the staff and the patrons of the club, because many had no idea she was sick.”

ExServos colleague and friend Alison McKay said Tanya played a big part in the history of the club after starting work in the old club kitchen 25 years ago.

“Tanya helped with the cooking and working in the bistro and quickly became a favourite staff member and has remained one over the years,” she said.

“She was certainly a stalwart club staffer and for the last five years Tanya solely worked at the front reception desk, mainly on weekends, and it was a job she loved

“She was certainly an outstanding Director of First Impressions and ambassador for the club.”

Alison described Tanya as a “weekend warrior” who was always reliable, responsible and renowned for her happy, friendly and positive disposition.

“She was a consummate hospitality professional, with a smile and hello for everyone.

“Tanny had a natural and genuine way with customers that you just can’t teach.”

She said it was not unusual for the animal lover to “come bursting through the door just in time to start her shift, smelling slightly horsey and frantically brushing pet hair off her jacket”.

Alison said Tanya didn’t want people to know she was sick because she hated “fuss and gossip”.

“So it’s been a big shock for many patrons and staff that Tan passed away,” Alison added.

“The outpouring of grief and sadness from patrons and staff has been truly touching.

“I’ve suspected it for some time but with Tanny’s passing I’m now utterly convinced the old adage ‘only the good die young’ is so heartbreakingly true.

“Tanya was more than ‘good’ though, she was a beautiful soul who will be sorely missed by all who crossed her path.

“She was so much more than just a work colleague, she was everyone’s friend and an amazing one at that.”

Tanya was born in Crown Street Hospital in Sydney on September 16, 1959, and grew up with her family on a hobby farm in Goulburn where her passion for horses and animals blossomed.

Keen to see the world, she left school in year 10 and gained a job as a jillaroo on a sheep station at nearby Tarago before working as a cook on a Clyde River cruise boat.

She also worked as a cook and waitress in the snow fields, as a drover on a property near Mount Isa in Queensland and as a camp cook on a 100,000 acre cattle station in Western Australia.

Tanya held jobs waitressing on Daydream and Lord Howe Islands and was an activities officer on Contiki Island.

She finally settled down when she bought her first home in Lake Tabourie in 1990 and later sold it and bought a home in Burrill Lake.

Jackie said, while her sister never married or had children, her Welsh pony Honey and three dogs were her “babies”.

She will be missed by her colleagues, many friends, mother Jan Crowe of Mollymook, older sister Jackie and younger brother Kevin.

Tanya’s funeral will be held at the Mollymook Surf Club at 10am on Wednesday January 28.