Sydney surgeon Dr Charles Teo says Jane McGrath embraced life right to the end, and fitted more into 42 years than most people cram into twice that time.
Ms McGrath, wife of former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath, died on Sunday after an 11-year battle with cancer.
The British-born former flight attendant had survived breast and bone cancer but succumbed to complications stemming from a brain tumour first diagnosed in 2006.
Ms McGrath’s neurosurgeon Dr Teo paid tribute to his former patient on Monday, saying she was “incredibly positive right to the end and she embraced life right to the end”.
“Sometimes when you meet someone like Jane you realise that she crammed more into 42 years than most people cram in 84 years,” Dr Teo told ABC Radio.
“In some ways it is very sad, but people should be envious of the life she had — she had this fantastic relationship with Glenn, she’s left a great legacy, she embraced life, she had two loving children, she was a great mother.
“If you ever saw her smile in real life it was even more amazing than the smile you saw on TV.
She had an amazing smile and amazing attitude.”
Meanwhile, Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has passed on his sympathies to former teammate Glenn McGrath and his family.
Ponting spoke on behalf of the Australian team, currently touring the West Indies, in paying tribute to Ms McGrath’s courage in battling her illness and said she would be fondly remembered.
“Jane was a wonderful person who fought and maintained grace and dignity during her long-term illness,” Ponting said.
“She was an exceptionally friendly and lovely person who displayed great courage and stoicism during her illness.
“She was a tremendous mother to James and Holly and shared a very special and deep relationship with Glenn in the time they had together.
“All of us are thinking about Glenn and their children at this very sad time.
“We all wish to convey that our best wishes go with him and to know our heartfelt sympathies are with the family at this time.
“Jane will be very fondly remembered by all of us.”
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