Deanna Edwards was stylish, open-hearted, and exceptional at everything she did.

She was known around town as 'the lady with the smile'.

After a lifetime in Launceston she had a face familiar to many.

And to Mr Edwards, she was a soulmate.

He became her primary carer after she developed dementia in 2015.

"We both were our own first loves," he said.

"I am so glad I was given the opportunity to look after my darling."

They met at the St Stephen's Presbyterian Church and both worked at the Patons & Baldwins Mill on Thistle Street.

This was once the largest wool mill of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, employing 2500 people.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Mr Edwards was employed at age 18, with one proviso from the manager communicated in his interview.

If it wasn't for the manager's strict opinion on the correct activity for a Sunday, Mr Edwards may never have met the love of his life.

"His final comment was to point a finger in the direction of St Stephen's, some 100 metres away, stating, 'Church starts at 11am every Sunday'," he said.

"That Sunday I was introduced to Deanna.

"It was not just the 'hello' but the captivating smile ... I was quite gobsmacked. Absolutely blown away."

It was a case of love at first sight - even though it took Mr Edwards a year to work up the courage to speak to her again.

"I had my brother with me, and I said to him, 'I'll marry that lady one day' - and I did," he said.

"What she saw in me, God only knows."

They married in 1964, and had three children.

At the mill Mrs Edwards worked in the office, and could type nearly 90 words a minute.

After it closed in 1997, she gave a talk about its history at various branches of Rotary and the Lions Club.

Her first job, briefly, was at The Examiner.

Mrs Edwards was also well-known as a musician.

She sang with the Philharmonic Society, and played the organ for St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Pilgrim Launceston Uniting Church, and the East Launceston Uniting Church.

She was involved in several productions, including the Man of Ross and Will Shakespeare.

She was a woman who brought music to people's lives in many ways.

"Her smile shone brighter than the Pole star," Mr Edwards said.

"She never complained, and spoke ill of no one.

"We will all listen for her piano playing from above."

Be the first to know the news when you sign up to our email newsletters: