Endless compassion for all humanity is the lasting legacy of the life of Dame Marie Bashir, a revered psychiatrist and the first female governor of NSW.
A host of former prime ministers and premiers crammed into the colonial-era St James Anglican Church in central Sydney on Wednesday to pay their respects to the much-respected public servant and mother.
She died aged 95 on January 20, prompting widespread praise for her life of faithful service to the community.
Her pioneering life from country NSW to the top ceremonial official in the state was lauded as breaking multiple glass ceilings.
"Her belief (was) there were no limits to what women could achieve," her daughter Alexandra Shehadie said.
Dame Marie's compassion for those less fortunate was a universal theme throughout the service.
"Grandma would always say 'it costs nothing to be kind and remember to love one another'," granddaughter Francesca Spry said in her eulogy.
Care for the rights of First Nations people, the homeless and veterans was a key foundation of the humanity that touched all who met her.
"She represents the better qualities of Australia, who might well aspire to fulfil them," Bob Carr, the Labor premier who appointed Dame Marie to the governorship, said in tribute.
While Dame Marie's care for all was rightly celebrated, she held a special love for her three children and six grandchildren.
Her lifelong love of music, both classical and contemporary, was also recognised.
"Music ran so strongly in mum's nature, that instead of an alarm clock you were roused each morning by a soaring and unrestrained soprano," Ms Shehadie said.
Before her stint as governor, Dame Marie was a venerated GP, psychiatrist and advocate for youth mental health.
Former Liberal prime ministers John Howard, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison were among those who paid their respects.
Eight past and present NSW premiers were also present, including incumbent Chris Minns, his predecessor Gladys Berejiklian and all six who served during Dame Marie's governorship including Kristina Keneally and Barry O'Farrell.
Lebanon's ambassador to Australia, Mima Khawly, also attended in an acknowledgement of the former governor's heritage.
Dame Marie was born to a Lebanese father and a mother of Lebanese descent in Narrandera, a town on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, before rising through the state health ranks and eventually assuming its highest ceremonial office.
Her retirement from the role in 2014 was similarly humble, quitting before she claimed the title of NSW's longest-serving governor from war hero and Victoria Cross recipient Sir Roden Cutler.
Dame Marie was the wife of former Sydney lord mayor and legendary Wallabies captain Sir Nicholas Shehadie, who died in 2018.
A flyover by the Rural Fire Service waterbomber, the Marie Bashir, began the procession when the former governor's hearse left the church.
The procession then routed past her former residence, Government House, before travelling past parliament house as MPs and staff watched on.
