Former New York State Rep. Nita Roy (D) passed away on Saturday, her family confirmed in statement Sent to CBS News.
“In great sadness, former MP Nita M. Roy announces that he passed away peacefully on March 15th at the age of 87.
Rowie, the first woman to chair the House Budget Committee, has been battling metastatic breast cancer in recent years.
She joined the committee in 1993, became a Ranked Democrat in 2013, and was the first woman to chair it after the party controlled the House in 2019.
Her family said she was the beloved wife and best friend of her husband Stephen Roy. They were married for 64 years and had three children.
“Nita's family was the centre of her life, just as she was all of us. We missed her more than words could say, and would be extremely comforting to know that she had a complete and purposeful life,” the family said.
Lowey is primarily considered a lawmaker and has become known for her attitude towards women's issues and for her increased funding for breast cancer research, The Washington Post It has been reported.
She was also known for her foreign aid work for securing funds for reconstruction of hurricanes, strengthening enforcement of drunk driving laws, and for her foreign aid work for US-Israel relations.
She was first elected to Congress in 1988 after serving as Secretary of State for New York.
Also, Rowie, who made history as the first woman to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, announced her retirement from Congress in 2019.
