Former New York Rep. Nita Lowey (D) died on Saturday, her family confirmed in a statement sent to CBS News.
“With great sadness, we announce that former Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey died peacefully on March 15 at the age of 87, surrounded by her loving husband, children, and grandchildren, in her home in Harrison, NY,” Lowey’s family said.
Lowey, the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, was battling metastatic breast cancer in recent years.
She joined the committee in 1993 and became the ranking Democrat in 2013 and was the first woman to chair it after the party took control of the House in 2019.
Her family said she was a beloved wife and best friend to her husband Stephen Lowey. They were married for 64 years and had three children.
“Nita’s family was central to her life as she was to all of ours. We will miss her more than words can say and take great comfort knowing that she lived a full and purposeful life,” the family said.
Lowey was largely viewed as a legislator, becoming known for her stance on women’s issues and funding increase for breast cancer research, The Washington Post reported.
She also was known for securing funds for hurricane rebuilding, strengthening enforcement of drunk driving laws and her foreign aid work for U.S.-Israel relations.
She was first elected to Congress in 1988 after serving as an assistant secretary of state for the state of New York.
Lowey, who also made history as the first woman to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, announced her retirement from Congress in 2019.
