Clare Monica Smith, 84, is charged with the deaths of two sisters, Edith Thomas, 85, and Ruth Nicholas, 88, and their sister-in-law Pauline Thomas, 78, at 10.45am on January 16 last year.

Mrs Smith is alleged to have driven a Toyota Camry into the path of a Ford Falcon on the New England Highway at Lower Belford’s Standen Drive intersection.

In addition to these three offences, Mrs Smith also faces charges of general negligent driving, failing to give way to the other vehicle and failing to give an explanation of the crash to police.

Mrs Smith did not attend Singleton Local Court yesterday when the matters were raised by solicitor Bonnie Herring before magistrate Ron Maiden.

Ms Herring said Mrs Smith pleaded not guilty to all six charges.

Mr Maiden then set aside half a day on March 16 to hear evidence.

The triple fatality shocked the close-knit Branxton community

Mrs Nicholas and Edith Thomas lived together in Branxton and Pauline Thomas, a champion golfer, lived in a house backing onto theirs.

On the day of the accident Edith and Pauline Thomas had just been to mass with Mrs Smith before picking up Mrs Nicholas to go to a friend’s place for lunch.

Pauline and Edith Thomas lived in Branxton most of their lives and Mrs Nicholas moved there about 11 years ago after an extended holiday with her sister.

Pauline Thomas held an amazing golf record, which included winning 22 Branxton championships plus 18 ladies foursome championships and seven mixed foursome championships.

The women spent a lot of time together, particularly after the deaths of their husbands, and were well known throughout the community.