They are the work of 77-year-old Bev Lucas, who is something of a dab hand at Christmas lights, having had her previous efforts in Narrabundah and Ngunnawal featured in The Canberra Times as far back as 1983.

Now living at Chifley, Mrs Lucas has put up Christmas lights again at her current home in Salmond Street - she believes the first time they've been decorated so for 67 years.

And this time the lights are not only to give pleasure to passers-by - or raise money for charity as she has done in the past - but to send a message to her 73-year-old sister Valma.

Because this year will probably be Valma's last Christmas.

Valma has a terminal disease and is being cared for at her Mittagong home by their other sister Robyn, 66.

The trio used to all live in Mittagong and decorate their homes with Christmas lights. When Bev moved to Canberra, she continued the tradition.

"My sister Valma said to me six weeks ago, she would love to do her lights, but that is not possible because of her condition," Mrs Lucas said.

"She said, 'This is my last Christmas'. And I said, 'Yes, we know that'.

"So I promised I'd do them just for her. And I have."

Mrs Lucas said her sister would be thrilled to see the lights featured in The Canberra Times. She intended to frame the images and present them to Valma soon.

"She told me, 'When I go down yonder, I'll take them with me'," Mrs Lucas said, through tears.