18 Dec 2012

Life of philanthropist celebrated

1:46 pm on 18 December 2012

The life of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, is being celebrated at a state memorial service in Melbourne on Tuesday.

She died at her Cruden Farm home on the Mornington Peninsula on 5 December at the age of 103.

About 1000 guests are attending the service at St Paul's Cathedral.

The ABC reports the Murdoch family matriarch donated millions of dollars to the causes of sick children and the arts.

Appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1963, she supported more than 100 charities and organisations, and had worked with the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne since 1933.

Her son, Rupert Murdoch and family friend, Jeff Kennett, the former Victorian Premier, will read eulogies and Governor-General Quentin Bryce and State Governor Alex Chernov will read from the bible.

A private family funeral was held last week.