A treasure in life and beyond. Newcastle woman, Lily Fardell, dubbed the 'Fair Lady of The Hill', has left a personal legacy which will raise an estimated $4 million for St Vincent de Paul.

The 96-year-old died earlier this year but her charity and generosity has been extended to one final, extraordinary act - helping the homeless.

Lasting legacy: Lily Fardell left her $2.3million mansion plus its antique contents to charity.

In her final will, she ordered that her grand old home be auctioned along with its contents, with all the proceeds going towards services for homeless children run by St Vincent de Paul in Newcastle.

"She couldn't have children of her own," her nephew, Michael Ellis said.