Mrs Wilson, more recently chairwoman of Greyhound Racing Victoria, received a Medal of the Order of Australia last year. She had been the brains behind initiatives such as a greyhound adoption program ,which provides links with disability support groups.

The Noble Park resident retired from State Parliament in 1999 after 14 years.

Before being elected to Spring Street she had been a Greater Dandenong councillor for many years, serving alongside her husband Eric, who died in 2004.

Among the first to praise Mrs Wilson was Greater Dandenong councillor John Kelly. "I stood against Jan twice. Though we were from different sides of the political fence she was a great community person who did much for this area and for whom I have the greatest respect."

Details of any funeral arrangements had not been announced as of yesterday but any wake is likely to be in the Jan Wilson Community Centre in Halton Road, Noble Park North.