The British-born former flight steward had survived breast and bone cancer but succumbed to complications stemming from a brain tumour first diagnosed in 2006.

''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 family statement issued through Cricket Australia 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.''

The 42-year-old had been recovering at her Cronulla home in Sydney after surgery in March before complications set in.

But she left a powerful legacy through the McGrath Foundation, an organisation established after her first battle with cancer in 2002 that has raised more than $12million to fund specialist nurses to help thousands of women in their fight against breast cancer.

Her death brought condolences from the cricketing and medical worlds, as well as from the prime minister and NSW premier.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said Mrs McGrath's death had saddened ''all of Australian cricket''.

''All of us who met her were charmed by her dignity and good humour as she tackled her battle with her illness for more than 10 years,'' he said.

''We also greatly respected the work she and Glenn did through their foundation, work which brought and will continue to bring tangible comfort to so many others.''

Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert said the international cricket community would rally around the McGrath family. ''The cricket community is a very strong and very united group of people. This will really be felt right throughout the cricket community around the world, never mind Australia.

''Everyone has marvelled at Glenn's performances on the world stage and they have also known that has been happening while he and Jane have been fighting this illness that she has had for the best part of 10 years,'' he said.

Mr Gilbert paid tribute to the remarkable qualities of the couple.

''Just the way in which she dealt with her illness was an absolute inspiration to us all.

''The selflessness that she showed throughout showed you exactly the sort of person that she was. It's just such a terribly sad day. For someone to lose their life at such a young age just seems so cruel.''

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described Mrs McGrath as an inspirational figure whose legacy would long benefit others. NSW Premier Morris Iemma said she had ''enriched our lives with a spirit of humility, courage and virtue'' and her efforts would never be forgotten.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre director Dr Helen Zorbas said Mrs McGrath had been a brave face of breast cancer who had the odds stacked against her after developing the disease at an early age.

National Breast Cancer Foundation chief executive Sue Murray agreed she had been an inspiring role model but her death showed it was not possible to say whether a woman had been cured of breast cancer.

Her passing was marked by a minute's silence before the start of the NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta at Toyota Stadium. The McGraths have strong ties to the Sharks football club.

This year Sharks players have committed to helping the McGrath Foundation by pledging to donate $500 for every try scored in 2008. So far the Sharks have raised $20,000.

The McGrath family requested privacy but said funeral details would be announced shortly. AAP