Former Democrat New York Rep. Nita Lowey died on Saturday on the age of 87 after battling metastatic breast most cancers for a number of years, her household revealed in an announcement.
Tony Aiello, a reporter with CBS Information New York, shared the household’s assertion in a submit on X. Lowey was described as being a “public servant within the truest sense,” and as having been a “indefatigable fighter” who “labored throughout the aisle to ship outcomes.”
“With nice disappointment, we announce that former Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey died peacefully on March 15 on the age of 87, surrounded by her loving husband, youngsters, and grandchildren, in her residence in Harrison, NY,” the assertion stated. “Nita has quietly and bravely battled metastatic breast most cancers lately with the identical tenacity and power that she fought all through her 32-year profession in Congress for ladies, youngsters and households within the U.S. and all over the world.”
The assertion continued:
Nita was a beloved spouse, accomplice, and finest pal to her cherished husband of 64 years, Stephen Lowey. An adored mom to Dana (David), Jackie (David) and Douglas (Ellen). And devoted and beloved grandmother to Jillian, Daniel, Jesse, Jonah, Ilan, Rebecca, Jonathan, and Solene. Nita’s household was central to her life as she was to all of ours. We are going to miss her greater than phrases can say and take nice consolation in understanding that she lived a full and purposeful life.
A public servant within the truest sense, she was guided by the Jewish core worth of “Tikkun Olam,” repairing the world. She was an indefatigable fighter and labored throughout the aisle to ship outcomes for her constituents and all People. She served on the Home Appropriations Committee for 28 years, the place she was elevated by her colleagues to function Chair. She sponsored life-changing laws within the fields of schooling, medical analysis, and worldwide relations.
Lowey, who “served in Congress from 1989 to 2021,” made historical past as the primary lady to serve because the Chair on the Home Appropriations Committee, in keeping with Politico.
The outlet famous that previous to serving in Congress, Lowey had labored “as an assistant secretary of state to New York in 1985”:
Nita Sue Lowey was born July 5, 1937, within the Bronx. Earlier than being elected to the Home, Lowey served as an assistant secretary of state to New York in 1985, after initially engaged on Maria Cuomo’s marketing campaign for New York’s lieutenant governor in 1974.
A number of lawmakers reminiscent of Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) paid respects to Lowey in posts on social media, describing her as being a “trailblazer.”
“Congresswoman Nita Lowey was a trailblazer and the most effective of New York,” Torres wrote in a submit on X. “Her management and legacy will endure for generations. Wishing my deepest condolences to her family members.”
“She was a trailblazer, a progressive champion, an incredible consultant, and my pal,” Clinton wrote in a submit on X. “We’ll miss you, Nita.”
“Nita Lowey was a trailblazer,” Cuomo wrote in a submit on X. “She can be missed.”
“Deeply saddened by the passing of my pal Congressman Nita Lowey,” Hochul wrote in a submit on X. “As a freshman member of Congress, she helped present me the ropes as I used to be studying the best way to navigate Washington. She was a devoted & tireless fighter for New York. Our ideas are together with her household and family members.”
“Doina and I are saddened by the lack of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a champion for the Hudson Valley who devoted her life to the individuals of New York’s seventeenth district,” Lawler wrote in a submit on X. “A trailblazer who made historical past as the primary Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, Nita Lowey impacted the lives of each New Yorker and American. Her ardour for our communities won’t ever be forgotten. My ideas are together with her household, mates, and neighbors. Might her reminiscence all the time be a blessing for us all.”
