A woman has been charged with the murder of a "sweet old lady" inside her home unit on Sydney's northern beaches.
Police discovered May Ritchie, 81, dead on the floor of her Freshwater unit about 8pm on Sunday after responding to concerns for her welfare.
A 49-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and then charged with murder at Manly Police Station on Monday evening.
Ms Ritchie's boyfriend Bob Lyford says her death has left big hole in his heart.
"She was the most wonderful, cheerful, loving person that you'd ever meet in your life," he told Network Seven.
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Neighbours have also paid tribute to the "sweet old lady with a lovely Scottish accent" who'd lived at unit complex more than 30 years.
"She was just a little piece of sunshine to our mornings and afternoons. We can't believe this has happened to her," Virginia Mounsey told Network Seven.
Eleanor Sheedy said Ms Ritchie was "slightly eccentric, extremely friendly and was always there".
"Just a lovely lady, always talked brightly about the weather and stories about her life in Scotland before coming to Australia," a male neighbour told Network Seven.
"Very shocked. My wife and I really didn't sleep last night because lots of friends and police looked like they were here. So yeah, very, very sad."
Police would not comment on the relationship between Ms Ritchie and the accused woman.
"All I'm prepared to say is we believe that they're known to each other," Detective Chief Inspector Craig Wonders said.
Nor would he comment on reports the two women had been drinking together earlier in the evening.
"Obviously the events leading up to the discovery of the lady are part of our early investigation and the whereabouts and what the parties were doing will be the focus of the investigation," he said.
The woman charged with murder is set to face Manly Local Court on Tuesday.
