Jane McGrath dies of cancer
Cricinfo staff
June 22, 2008
Jane McGrath, the wife of former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath, has died after complications resulting from a surgery. McGrath,42, had battled breast cancer and a brain tumour, and had also campaigned for cancer awareness, setting up the McGrath Foundation with her husband.
“It is with deep sadness that the family and friends of Jane McGrath, beloved wife of former Australian cricketer Glenn and loving mother of James and Holly, must announce she passed away at her home this morning,” a statement issued by the McGrath Foundation said. “With Glenn and their two children by her side, Jane’s wonderful life ended peacefully after a sudden decline in her health over the past week.”
Such sad news. We had heard she was sick a couple of years ago when Glenn took time off from Australian duty to attend to her, but didn't know that she was terminally ill. Their kids are young too... must be pretty hard on them to bear the loss of their mom. Our prayers are with you, Glenn and family.
Australian cricketing greats joined Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Wednesday at the funeral of former Test bowler Glenn McGrath’s wife Jane, who died at the weekend after a long bout with cancer.
At a service in the same Sydney church where the pair were married in 1999, mourners paid tribute to Jane McGrath and her work supporting women with breast cancer through the McGrath Foundation.
The 42-year-old lost her 11-year fight with the disease on Sunday, leaving behind her husband and two children James, eight, and Holly, six.
Glenn McGrath arrived with his children at the service, which was also attended by former Test cricketers Shane Warne, Steve Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Ian Healy and Michael Bevan.
Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones, now a Sydney talkback radio host, praised McGrath’s determination to help others, despite her own illness.
“Every day was a battle, yet paradoxically every day she sought to strengthen others in their same battle,” he said.
“While the foundation was the centre of her life, it was also the hardest thing in her life.”
