The 72-year-old Matong woman died on Thursday after the car she was driving left the road and hit a tree on the outskirts of town.

But the tragedy has sparked an outpouring of gratitude from the country community who were lucky enough to meet Irene.

Matong resident Helen Hatty said she got "the shock of her life" when she heard the accident involved a fellow local, and while she didn't know Irene well, she had heard of her positive impact on the town.

"Friends of mine who were her neighbours are really hurt by the news, but they have told me of how kind-hearted she was, and how wonderful of a neighbour she was," she said.

"She always helped people out, would take them into town or even just sit with them and have a cup of tea."

Mrs Hatty said the story around town was that Irene was driving through Matong about 10 years ago, spotted a house she loved, and "just had to buy it".

"So she's been here ever since, and she has always reflected that country community spirit of looking out for one another so we'd love for her to be remembered for all the good she did," she said.

One man who knew firsthand of Irene's kind heart was Laurie Kerr, who grew up in Matong with his parents before moving to Wagga as an adult where he now lives.

"Irene used to always come out and take my parents into Narrandera for medication or doctor's appointments and such, or even bring them to Wagga to save me the drive," he said.

"She was a lovely lady, would always come over for a chat and to see how things were, she could change a bad day into a good one for anyone she met."

Matong resident John Doherty said he and his wife Nancy were also grateful to have known Irene.

"I've known her since she move to Matong, she was a good woman," he said.

"She was good to anyone down on their luck, always happy to help."

Irene's death has rocked the town and wider Coolamon Shire, whose mayor John Seymour said the accident was "awful".

"It knocks the community around, we are a very close-knit community so it comes very hard and has a lasting impact on people whether they knew her directly or not."

Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the car crash as a report is prepared for the coroner.