NEW YORK — Former U.S. Representative Nita Lowey, a noted New York Democrat and trailblazer as the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, has passed away at 87.
In a heartfelt statement, Lowey’s family shared that she died on Saturday after a valiant battle with metastatic breast cancer. They noted that she fought her illness with the same determination and strength she showed throughout her 32-year Congressional career advocating for women, children, and families.
Her passing occurred peacefully at her home in Harrison, New York, as she was surrounded by her beloved husband, children, and grandchildren. In a gesture of respect, Gov. Kathy Hochul, who had served alongside Lowey in Congress, mandated flags to be flown at half-staff from Sunday to Monday in her honor.
“A true public servant, she embodied the Jewish value of ‘Tikkun Olam,’ meaning to repair the world,” the family’s statement highlighted. “She was relentless in her efforts, working across party lines to achieve results for her constituents and all Americans.”
Lowey represented the suburban regions north of New York City, including areas of Westchester County and the Hudson River Valley. Her political journey began with her election to Congress in 1988, and she continued to serve until her retirement decision in 2020.
Throughout her distinguished career in the House, Lowey advocated for federal funding to combat AIDS and provided economic assistance to developing countries. She supported initiatives for women’s health care and education and was pivotal in securing contraception coverage for federal employees under their health plans in the late 1990s, even amidst a Republican-majority House.
On her retirement, Lowey remarked, “Choosing to leave a job I cherished wasn’t easy.” She expressed her decision with The Associated Press, reflecting her dedication and leadership as she assumed the role of House Appropriations Committee chair in 2018. “But it felt like the right moment.”
Connecticut U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, who now serves as the ranking Democrat on the appropriations committee, honored Lowey as a “fierce negotiator and devoted public servant” describing her as “courageous, humorous, and determined, brightening even the darkest rooms with her smile.”
Lowey’s advocacy extended across numerous significant issues, from healthcare and environmental conservation to after-school programs and public broadcasting. U.S. Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican currently overseeing Lowey’s district, commended her “bipartisan nature, commitment to our community, and dedication to the nation.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins also paid tribute, acknowledging Lowey for championing integrity and honesty, and praised her as a “mentor, friend, and perpetual source of hope.”
Her family announced plans for a private funeral and interment, with a memorial service to follow at a later date.
“We will forever miss her beyond expression and find solace in her fulfilling and meaningful life,” the family concluded. “Her memory is a blessing to those who knew and loved her and touches the countless lives impacted by her.”
