Celebrated philanthropist and matriarch of the Murdoch empire, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, has passed away at her Langwarrin home surrounded by family at the age of 103.

Her son, News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch, said his mother would be mourned by thousands of Australians who had been touched by her generosity and decades of kindness.

LISTEN BELOW: Neil Mitchell interviews Dame Elisabeth Murdoch at The Order of Australia Victoria Branch dinner on 7th December, 2007

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch will be honoured with a State Memorial Service at 11am on Tues December 18 at St Paul’s Cathedral. (via @tonytardio)

— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) December 6, 2012

"We have lost the most wonderful mother but we are all grateful to have had her love and wisdom for so many years,’’ he said in a statement released on behalf of her extended family.

"Throughout her life, our mother demonstrated the very best qualities of true public service.

"Her energy and personal commitment made our country a more hopeful place and she will be missed by many.’’

Many thanks for condolences about my Mum. A great lady, wife. mother and citizen.193 yo, but still a blow.

— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) December 5, 2012

No, 103 yo!There are limits!

— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) December 5, 2012

Speaking with Neil Mitchell, Premier Ted Baillieu described Dame Elisabeth as a 'beacon of love' who was loved by many people.

LISTEN: Premier Ted Baillieu with Neil Mitchell

Dame Elisabeth was a personal friend of Mr Baillieu's mother and said despite her family's wealth, she was 'unpretentious'.

"She just cared so much about other people and she never, ever worried about herself. I think it's an incredibly endearing and charming quality."

Mr Baillieu said Dame Elisabeth who took great enjoyment out in writing and receiving handwritten letters.

"I'm the beneficiary and the recipient of some beautiful handwritten letters from Dame Elisabeth in her 100s and I treasure them," he said.

Premier Baillieu with Dame Elisabeth Murdoch at her 102nd birthday. (Photo: Justin McManus)

An avid lover of gardens, Mr Baillieu said a garden in her name would be fitting memorial to 'one of the most wonderful Australians and Victorians of all time'.

"I think in tribute to her extraordinary love of gardens and all things landscaped, there is an opportunity and an idea there," he said.

"I think even the trees and the rosebushes will be shedding a tear today."

Speaking with 3AW Breakfast, News Limited Victoria Managing Director of Editorial, Peter Blunden, said Dame Elisabeth was a 'truly inspiring person' and a 'general national treasure'.

LISTEN: Peter Blunden speaks with Ross and John

"She will leave an extraordinary legacy for not only this city but this country," he said.

"People used to melt in her presence, quite frankly. I went to many functions, even very late in her life when she'd arrive in her wheelchair and she'd just get a standing ovation."

Mr Blunden said while there would be a private funeral, he believed there would be a public memorial service to pay tribute to the late Dame.

Her death was confirmed by News Limited in a statement released late on Wednesday evening.

Dame Elisabeth had survived a bad fall less than three months ago in which she broke her leg and went to hospital.

"Very depressing, but hoping and praying,’’ Rupert Murdoch had tweeted in September shortly after the fall.

She died peacefully on Wednesday night at Cruden Farm, her beloved Langwarrin garden estate set on more than 54 hectares in Melbourne’s outer southeast.

Dame Elisabeth was the wife of Sir Keith Murdoch and mother to four children including Rupert Murdoch, Anne Kantor and Janet Calvert-Jones.

Her eldest daughter, Helen Handbury, died in 2004.

A patron of the arts, she had celebrated her 103rd birthday in February this year with grandson Lachlan Murdoch at a concert in her honour at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

She was a Companion of the Order of Australia, a former president of the Royal Childrens Hospital, and in 1963 was appointed a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by the Queen.

Dame Elisabeth had supported an estimated 100 charities annually and was beloved for her life-long commitment to helping others.

News Limited chief executive Kim Williams said the country would be mourning the loss of an extraordinary figure.

"We feel the loss intensely because she was the wife of Sir Keith Murdoch and mother of our chairman Rupert Murdoch, both towering figures in our national story and the builders of our own media heritage here at News,’’ he told News Ltd on Thursday.

HWT board chairman Julian Clarke added: "Dame Elisabeth has been an ever-present influence in our company and will be sadly missed by the many employees who knew her personally.’’

Dame Elisabeth has 77 direct descendants, including 50 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the Murdoch family is asking for donations to be made to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

In a statement, her family said details of a memorial service would be confirmed shortly, but her funeral is expected to be a private one, despite her years of serving the public.

with Ellen Feely

LISTEN: Neil Mitchell interviews Dame Elisabeth Murdoch at The Order of Australia Victoria Branch dinner on 7th December, 2007:

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