Family seeks answers after beloved Taree woman Judith Browne found dead in river on NSW Mid North Coast

The family of a woman remembered as a “bright spark” is seeking answers about what happened to her after she was found dead in a river on the NSW Mid North Coast.

Judith Browne, 71, was found in the Manning River by State Emergency Service volunteers about 10am on Tuesday during a search for her.

She had been reported missing after she was last seen on Frances St in Taree about 10.30pm on Sunday.

Her death has shocked the local community, with friends and former colleagues remembering the former private tutor as a kind and generous woman who went out of her way to help others.

One friend said she was in “shock and disbelief” and needed time to process her grief.

“If you knew Judy, she was a bright spark — a bright shining light — someone who helped so many people with her generous heart and ‘dog with a bone’ approach to wrong doings perpetuated towards everyday people,” she wrote. 

“The world has lost a bright light but the heavens have gained a beautiful angel.”

Another friend described Browne as a “lovely, generous, giving, intelligent lady”.

“I just can’t believe this. Judy was one of those ladies who would help anyone in need. I’m so saddened by this.”

Another remembered Browne as “such a kind woman with a heart of gold who would go out of her way to make you smile”.

“Fly high Judy, you will be sadly missed.”

A former colleague who worked with Browne at Taree Public School also paid tribute.

“A kind, caring lady. She had time for everyone and anyone. Beautiful person inside and out,” she wrote.

Browne regularly shared snippets of her life on social media, including photos with her husband of 45 years, Norm Boyd.

Her generosity also spanned generations.

Browne and her eldest son, Buster, previously featured in the Manning River Times over their support for a child in Ethiopia.

Browne began sponsoring the then-12-year-old boy in 1993. 

Buster, who was also 12 at the time, later took over the sponsorship in 2020.

Browne’s brother Andrew told 7NEWS.com.au the family is now awaiting further information from police about the circumstances surrounding her death.

Police are now appealing for information as they work to retrace Browne’s movements in the hours after she was last seen.

Browne is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall and of thin build, with shoulder-length grey-brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a lavender floral dress and light brown sandals.

Police are urging anyone in the area to check CCTV, dashcam or doorbell camera footage for any sightings of Browne between 10.30pm on Sunday, September 20 and 10.15am on Tuesday, September 22.

Anyone with information or footage is urged to contact police.