WILMINGTON, Del.- Ruth Ann Minner, Delaware's first and only female governor, died Thursday at the age of 86.
No cause of death was disclosed.
Minner was born in Slaughter Neck. When she was 16, she left her to help her family's farm. At 32, she was left widowed with three children, and worked two jobs while going to school to earn her G.E.D.
"She was a leader who had a real common touch. Governor Minner focused on raising up the working families of our state because she knew what it meant to struggle. Having grown up poor in Slaughter Beach, she brought that perspective to her job every day, and she never lost her attachment to those roots," says Gov. John Carney.
In a statement released by the White House, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden called Minner a "true pioneer" and "one of the most remarkable, inspiring public servants we’ve ever known."
"Governor Minner was living proof of the American dream," they said. "We shared more than a home state; blessed with the bounty of love of family, we also shared the pain of burying pieces of our soul – spouses and children – and trying to find purpose in their memories.
"Our lives will be emptier without her, but our beloved Delaware is stronger because of her service, and our nation is stronger because of the power of her example."
Minner, a Democrat, got her start in politics by working as an aide, then receptionist, before serving four terms in the Delaware House of Representatives in the 1970s and three terms in the state Senate beginning in 1982.
AFTER TWO TERMS AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, MINNER WAS ELECTED TO DELAWARE'S HIGHEST EXECUTIVE OFFICE IN 2000. SHE became the STATE'S FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR.
AS GOVERNOR, SHE WORKED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVE DELAWARE SCHOOLS.
"My belief in the potential for a child's education is a result of my having to obtain my own the hard way. An inspiring education system is the most important seed we can sow for our state's future", mINNER once said.
AS SHE LEFT OFFICE, MINNER TOLD WBOC ONE OF HER GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS WAS BANNING INDOOR SMOKING, sOMETHING APPRECIATED TO THIS DAY.
"her legacy will also include helping delawareans decrease cancer rates through that program and now, as a father myself, it's nice to have that already in place and not have that challenge trying to have my family away from those carcinogens." says state rep. bryan shupe.