Former Virginia First Lady Roxane Gilmore Passes Away at 70

Roxane Gilmore, a well-respected teacher and professor and former first lady of Virginia during her husband Jim Gilmore’s tenure as governor from 1998 to 2002, passed away at the age of 70. Her husband shared the news of her death on social media, mentioning that she had been battling a long illness, though the specific cause was not disclosed.

Current Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, expressed his condolences in a written statement, highlighting Roxane Gilmore’s warm and approachable nature, as well as her sense of humor and leadership. Governor Youngkin recognized her significant role in overseeing the extensive renovation of the Executive Mansion in Richmond, the state’s oldest continuously inhabited governor’s residence, during her time as first lady.

Roxane Gilmore, originally from Suffolk, Virginia, was a proud alumna of the University of Virginia, where she first met her future husband. The Gilmores had been married since 1977 and shared a deep connection to the state. Roxane was not only a dedicated professor of Classics at Randolph-Macon College but also made important contributions as an educator in public schools in Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

Her husband, Jim Gilmore, a Republican, served as Virginia’s governor during a critical time, being at the helm of the state’s response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the Pentagon, resulting in the loss of 184 lives. The Gilmores’ impact on Virginia’s history and education landscape is deeply felt, with Roxane’s legacy being particularly recognized through her instrumental role in preserving and enhancing the historic Executive Mansion.