She died on October 15 last year aged 96, having lived a life filled with art and music.

Mrs Beaver, at the time of her death, was described by Nicholas Milton, chief conductor and artistic director of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra as "inimitable and extraordinary".

"Betty's love for music her passion for supporting the arts in all of its guises in the Canberra community was legendary," Mr Milton said at the time.

After arriving in Canberra in 1960 with husband Ron and their four children, Mrs Beaver went to work giving the still-nascent city a soul by developing the arts in any way she could.

Brisbane-born Mrs Beaver co-founded Narek Gallery in Narrabundah with her daughter Karen, founded Beaver Galleries and was part of the development of the Craft Association of the ACT, now Craft ACT.

In the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours list, Mrs Beaver was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for service to the arts through the promotion of Australian contemporary crafts, her support for young and emerging craftspeople and her patronage of the performing arts in Canberra.

Now, the public is being given a fascinating look into Mrs Beaver's own collection of art.

Her estate is being auctioned online by Canberra auction house allbids.com.au.

The work for sale has been described as "a unique and diverse collection of paintings, work on paper, prints, sculpture, studio ceramics, textiles, glass, bespoke and household furniture".

The sale closes on Wednesday, with bids being taken on most items up to 7pm.

Among the items attracting strong bids already include a Frances Jones' painting Crabapples, ceramic vessels by David Williams, an antique Australian cedar washstand, a bespoke Tasmanian blackwood and brass armchair and an etching of seed pods by Jorg Schmeisser.

There are many other items reflecting a life celebrating the arts - a "salute to a life of patronage".

The sale is at allbids.com.au.

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