Jane McGrath's brother: I miss her every day

Three years after Jane lost her cancer battle, Jon Steele shares his memories of her, and tells why he chose to stand by his brother-in-law Glenn and his new wife Sara.

It’s been three years since Jon Steele lost his beloved big sister Jane McGrath to breast cancer. Jon was one of Jane’s greatest allies as she raised a family while fighting the disease for more than a decade, inspiring Australians with her grace, courage and dedication to helping others. Sharing his sister’s shy smile and good humour, Jon opens his heart to talk publicly for the first time to honour his sister and her legacy – and stand beside the man she loved.

“I miss her every single day. It’s very, very difficult not to have her here,” says Jon from his Sydney apartment, just a stone’s throw from the beachside home Jane shared with her cricketer husband Glenn and their children James, 11, and Holly, 9. “She was the reason I was in Australia, so not to have her here is a massive void in my life. After Jane died, my instinct was go home to England, but I didn’t. It was right that I stayed here to be with the kids and Glenn.”

While Glenn has put the family home up for sale to move closer to the city and the children’s schools, Jon remains close to his “great mate” brother-in-law and his new wife Sara. He was among the handful of guests at the couple’s low-key nuptials at their home last November. “It was nice of them to invite me,” says Jon, who was on music duty as the couple walked down the makeshift aisle.

“When they were doing the speeches, Glenn and Sara gave me a special mention, which I appreciated… It was a bit of a difficult day for me, but in saying that, I wish them all the best and I hope they have a wonderful life together. “I just wish I had as much luck in love as Glenn does – to meet someone that quickly after losing the love of his life – but he did. He follows his heart, he’s in love again.”