The wife of Hillvue stalwart Alf passed away on Sunday night after a short battle with liver cancer. She remained in the comfort of the family home until Sunday.

“Lois Small was a silent achiever as a volunteer in our sport, a tremendous assistant and guide to Alf,” Northern Inland Football president Tim Coates said.

She would always be found supporting him in his role as Hillvue president, a job they effectively shared for nearly 50 years.

Only last year at the annual Northern NSW Football awards where Alf was honoured with the Bill Turner Award, she was by his side with Alf paying her a richly-deserved tribute.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Alf and the family,” Coates said.

“As a measure of respect all Tamworth competition games will observe a moment’s silence in her memory this weekend.”