Greg)If your Australian you probably have heard of the fight of Jane McGrath from breast cancer these last few years.
I have played cricket all my life and have followed McGrath and his family for that time that he played. We didn't know her but you feel that you new her in some small way.It is a sad day and I send condolences to his children and to Glenn. Jane R.I.P.
Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath has spoken publicly about the loss of his wife Jane, who died on Sunday after an 11-year battle with cancer.
In a statement issued by McGrath, the sportsman said: "I am devastated by the loss of my beautiful wife Jane. She was my best friend."
Jane's death would also be extremely tough on their two small children, James, 8, and Holly, 6, McGrath said.
"I am grateful they were able to spend the time that they had with their mother," he said.
"Both were extremely young but as the years pass and they grow older I will ensure that they never forget how much she loved them….they were her world"
Jane, who leaves a lasting legacy in the McGrath Foundation the couple set up to help women with breast cancer, was a truly remarkable person, her husband said.
"I would like to think Jane will be remembered as an extraordinary person whose courage and determination humbled me and inspired so many people."
"I never took for granted the time I had with Jane and if there is one thing that can be drawn from her life, it is that every day is a blessing.
Jane, a 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 Charles 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."
|