Former Rep. Nita Lowey, who served the Hudson Valley for 32 years and became the first woman to ever chair the House Appropriations Committee, has died. She was 87.

Her family released a statement:

“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. Nita has quietly and bravely battled metastatic breast cancer in recent years with the same tenacity and strength that she fought throughout her 32-year career in Congress for women, children and families in the U.S. and around the world.”

Lowey, first elected in 1989, served 16 terms in Congress and represented parts of Westchester, Rockland, The Bronx and Queens during her time in office. She became the first woman to lead the House Appropriations Committee as Ranking Member from 2013 to 2018 and, in 2019, became the first woman to chair the Committee.

“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my friend,” Gov. Hochul said in a statement. “As a freshman member of Congress, Nita helped show me ropes as I was learning how to navigate Washington. She was a tireless fighter for the State of New York and never stopped working to deliver for the people of Westchester and Rockland.”

Sen. Charles Schumer called her the “heart of the Hudson Valley.”

“So many stand on her shoulders and her impact continues to resonate years after her retirement. Above all else though, Congresswoman Lowey was a kind hearted person, always putting others first and caring for their well-being,” he said.

Gov. Hochul says flag will be flown at half-staff through March 17.