Joan Kirner’s family has been overwhelmed by the public outpouring of respect for the former Victorian premier, a woman described as all about community.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and former premiers from both sides of politics including Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu, John Cain and Steve Bracks as well as family, friends and many members of the public, are attending a state funeral for Ms Kirner in Melbourne on Friday.

• Joan Kirner dies
• Victoria’s polka-dot premier

They have been joined by federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, while former prime minister Julia Gillard, who regarded Ms Kirner as a friend and mentor, has tweeted that she is unable to attend as she is ill.

Family friend and former government minister Peter Batchelor said the very private family understood Ms Kirner played a very strategic and important role in the life of Victoria and Australia.

“They have been surprised by the overwhelming expression of love and respect for Joan as an individual, as a parent, as a community activist and of course as a parliamentarian and ultimately as premier,” Mr Batchelor told reporters.

“The respect and love that’s sprung out of the community over the last couple of days has been overwhelming for the family. They’ve appreciated it.”

Mr Batchelor said Ms Kirner was all about community.

“She loved community, she fought for it, she respected it. She not only did that before she entered parliament, all throughout her parliamentary career and even up to the last moment that she could possibly continue working, she was working for the community.”

Ms Kirner, 76, died on Monday after a near two-year battle with oesophageal cancer.