The Hon. Elaine Nile, the 75-year-old wife of NSW Christian Democrat MP Fred Nile, died on Monday night after a three-year battle with liver cancer.
For almost 15 years Mrs Nile was a NSW Christian Democrat MP in the state's upper house, before ill health forced her retirement in 2002.
Mrs. Nile was a strong supporter of our constitutional system, and in Parliament always indicated that she would continue to honour her oath of allegiance. She was a courageous and honourable lady.
Australians for Constitutional Monarchy send our deepest condolences to Mr Nile and his family. Prominent politicians across the political spectrum have joined in expressing their regrets and in praising Mrs Nile’s dedication.
In a statement Mr Nile described his wife as a loving mother to four children, a dear grandmother to eight grandchildren and a greatly loved member of the Christian Democratic Party and the wider national and international Christian community.
Mr Nile's personal assistant Judy Russell, who worked with Mr and Mrs Nile for nearly 18 years, said Mrs Nile's life outside of politics was all about family.
"I thank the Lord Jesus Christ that I was able to pray with Elaine and commit her to the Lord as she quietly passed into the presence of her Saviour," the Reverend Nile said.."Elaine often expressed her strong Christian faith by saying 'absent from the body, present with the Lord'."
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Elaine Nile will be celebrated in Calvary Chapel Auditorium, 42A Beale Street, Georges Hall on Wednesday (October 26, 2011) commencing at 11 a.m.