Gillian Helfgott, the wife of Shine pianist David Helfgott and New York Times best-selling author, has died aged 90 after a short illness.
A statement released by her family said it was "with the deepest sadness that the family of Gillian Helfgott announces her peaceful passing on Tuesday August 16".
"A vivacious, social and passionate woman, Gillian will be long remembered and treasured," they said.
Mrs Helfgott met pianist David Helfgott in Perth in 1983, helping him return to the concert stage after he had suffered a breakdown and spent years in a mental institution.
She was portrayed by actress Lynne Redgrave in Shine, the 1996 film about her husband’s life, for which actor Geoffrey Rush won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
"The Oscar-winning film Shine and Gillian's New York Times best-selling autobiography, Love You to Bits and Pieces: Life with David Helfgott, brought their story to the world," the family statement read.
In later years, the couple lived in Bellingen on the NSW Mid North Coast.
"She was an irrepressible force, helping the annual Camp Creative festival find local and international success, while also proudly supporting and promoting the 80-strong Bellingen Youth Orchestra," the family statement read.
A woman who made things happen
Former Bellingen High School principal Rob Stockton worked in Camp Creative, which Mrs Helfgott was instrumental in establishing in Bellingen, for about 20 years.
"She was sort of larger than life — she had a lovely touch where everybody sort of thought she was their friend, and every year at Camp Creative she would greet people like they were part of the family and it was very genuine ... she just had that absolute knack," he said.
Mr Stockton said the movie Shine was a "really authentic depiction of their affection for each other".
Mrs Helfgott also was vice-president of Camp Creative.
"I can remember one day she said, 'The school needs a grand piano', the next thing you know she's purchased a grand piano ... and it's still there — that's typical of Gillian — she had that sort of vision and capacity to make it happen," Mr Stockton said.
"Her patronage of the Bellingen Youth Orchestra with David, it's lovely to have that association but the practicalities, the fundraising.
"I'd never forget watching the two of them in a music room with 70 kids and David's in a pair of shorts because it's just so damn hot ... and Gillian's there supervising — you think 'Am I really in this place? Am I really watching this?'"
Mr Stockton said Mrs Helfott was without pretension and was happy to mock herself.
"I'll remember that wicked smile. That will be my enduring memory," he said.
The family has announced there will be a private funeral, followed later by a public celebration of her life.
Mrs Helfgott is survived by her children, filmmakers Sue and Scott Murray, from her first marriage.
