The AFL is mourning the death of trailblazing employee Jill Lindsay, who died on Monday aged 61.

Lindsay, the league's ground operations manager since 1991, had been battling cancer.

She joined the then-VFL in 1970 and was the AFL's long-serving employee.

In 2002, Lindsay became the only woman to receive AFL life membership.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou paid tribute to Lindsay, who was one of the first women to take a prominent role in the league.

"Jill was a hero to generations of staff and football people who worked with her and admired her," Demetriou said in a statement.

"She was a source of valuable advice and wisdom to me, both as football operations manager and chief executive, and I will miss terribly her friendship, wise counsel and laughter.

"Many senior staff, both within the AFL and across our clubs, are today heartbroken by the loss of Jill.

"Jill was a natural leader whose inner strength and support for colleagues made people around her walk taller.

"She would not hesitate to put people in their place if she thought it was appropriate - including CEOs of the AFL."

Lindsay worked through last year as she received treatment for her illness.

Last year, the AFL announced a scholarship in Lindsay's name, for her outstanding service to the game and to further promote careers for women in sports administration.

The first recipient of the scholarship will be announced this month.

Lindsay also had a lifelong involvement in softball as a player, coach and administrator.

She coached the Victorian women's team from 1988-91 and was awarded the Australian Sport Medal in 2000 for services to softball.

Lindsay is survived by her mother Marjorie, sister Robyn Torpy and brothers Graham and Ross.

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