Ms Holborow fought for judicial reform - including free legal aid for children, a care court specifically for cases of neglect, and a separate jail for first-time offenders aged between 18 and 25.

But her work for children did not end with Ms Holborow`s retirement from the court in 1994.

Long-time friend Carol Harkins says Ms Holborow was diagnosed with a tumour in January, but was still doing charity work as recently as Monday of this week.

"Barb lived her life on the creed of `every child is the responsibility of everybody`," Ms Harkins said.

"She always maintained, much to the chagrin sometimes of the hierarchy of the magistracy, that in order to be a Children`s Court magistrate you also had to be part social worker."

This year Ms Holborow`s work was rewarded when she was named NSW Senior Australian of the Year.

She is survived by daughter Louise, adopted Aboriginal son Jacob, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

This is an extract from a short biography written about Ms Holborow last year, from the Australian of the year website--

"Barbara Holborow OAM was awarded NSW Senior Australian of the Year 2012 for her tireless commitment to achieving better judicial outcomes for children.

Living with diabetes since she was 13, Barbara fought the odds as a single mother to establish a career for herself as a lawyer, working during the day and studying at night first for her Leaving Certificate, and then for her law degree, graduating at the age of 40.

Barbara`s philosophy is that `every child is everybody`s responsibility.` As a magistrate, she was instrumental in setting up free legal aid for children in NSW, a care court to deal with cases of neglect and a special jail for first-time offenders aged 18 to 25. She allowed television cameras into her court, believing that an open and transparent process would help reform the system.

Since her retirement from the bench in 1994 she has continued to defend the rights of children. Over the years, many foster children have come under her care and while working at a refuge she met a young Aboriginal boy named Jacob who she later adopted.

Barbara has written three books on her experiences with children and, at the age of 81, continues her fearless crusading, lobbying government and garnering media attention."