 Hollamby died suddenly as a result of heart disease at Red House on 29 December 1999 ; he was the third owner to die while in residence . His funeral was held on 21 January 2000 in Eltham , with a secular humanist service conducted by Barbara Smoker . The Friends of Red House took over the public openings at this point . Amid ill health , Doris left Red House and moved into a care home in 2002 ; she died in April 2003 . With the aid of an anonymous benefactor , the house was purchased and gifted to The National Trust in 2003 , who turned it into a visitor 's attraction , with tours continuing to be organised by the Friends of Red House . 
