By ANNA USHER

Former NSW governor and “extraordinary Australian” Dame Marie Bashir has died.

NSW Premier Chris Minns announced Bashir’s death tonight and led tributes to “one of NSW’s most respected public servants”.

Bashir was married to Sir Nicholas Shehadie for 61 years and was “a deeply loved mother” of three children and six grandchildren.

“On behalf of the people of NSW, I extend my deepest condolences to Dame Marie’s family, friends and all those who were inspired by her remarkable life,” Minns said.

“Dame Marie Bashir served our state with distinction as the first female governor of NSW from 2001 to 2014, bringing to the role immense dignity and compassion.

“Reflecting on her 14 years as governor, Dame Marie Bashir explained that she deliberately chose not to extend her tenure beyond that point, despite being widely respected, because she did not wish to surpass Sir Roden Cutler as the longest-serving governor.

“It was a decision that reflected her humility and deep respect for those who came before her.”

Minns said Bashir was a distinguished psychiatrist and a long-standing advocate for mental health, education and social inclusion.

She attended Narrandera Public School and Sydney Girls High School, before completing a medical degree at the University of Sydney in 1956.

She taught at the University of Sydney and the University of NSW, assisting in psychiatry, mental health services and Indigenous health programs.

She also worked for the Aboriginal Medical Service.

In 1968, she moved to Mosman, after “falling in love” with a home on Shellbank Ave, where she lived for more than 50 years.

“After attending a concert in the street, I fell in love with the tranquillity of the environment, its proximity to the city and of course, the magnificent uninterrupted water views,” she said in a 2020 interview.

In 2014, she was named as a Dame of the Order of Australia for her extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and service to the administration, public life, the people of NSW, and medicine (particularly as an advocate for improved mental health outcomes for the young, marginalised and disadvantaged) to international relations, through the promotion of collaborative health programs, and as a leader in tertiary education.

Dame Marie will be honoured at a state funeral.