Former U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan, who made history as the first female senator to represent Missouri, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 90. Carnahan was appointed to the Senate in 2001 following the posthumous election of her husband, Governor Mel Carnahan, and served until 2002. Her family confirmed her death, stating that she passed peacefully after a brief illness at a hospice in suburban St. Louis.
Described as a fearless trailblazer, Carnahan was known for her brilliance, creativity, compassion, and dedication to both her family and the people of Missouri. Born on December 20, 1933, in Washington, D.C., she grew up in the nation's capital with her father working as a plumber and her mother as a hairdresser.
Carnahan's path crossed with Mel Carnahan, the son of a Missouri congressman, at a church event. Their relationship blossomed further when they sat next to each other in a high school class. They eventually married on June 12, 1954. A year later, Jean Carnahan graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor's degree in business and public administration. Together, they raised four children on a farm near Rolla, Missouri.
Carnahan took on the role of First Lady of Missouri after her husband's election as governor in 1992 and continued in that capacity for his two terms. Tragedy struck the family on October 16, 2000, when Governor Mel Carnahan, their son Roger, and an aide died in a plane crash. Following Mel Carnahan's posthumous election, Jean Carnahan was appointed by acting Governor Roger Wilson to fill the vacant Senate seat.
During her tenure from January 3, 2001, to November 25, 2002, Carnahan delivered a poignant speech in the Senate, reflecting on the path that led her to the chamber. 'My name has never been on a ballot. On election night, there was no victory celebration,' she remarked. Despite the circumstances, Carnahan emphasized that she and her colleagues were there to do the work required for the betterment of the nation.
Roy Temple, Carnahan's chief of staff, remembered her as a remarkable individual who approached everything with intelligence, wit, and creativity. Whether it was planning a party or pushing for legislation, Carnahan put her all into whatever she undertook. Temple described her as a flower that blooms wherever she was planted.
In addition to her political career, Carnahan was also a prolific author, having written seven books. These included two books on the Missouri governor's mansion and an autobiography that focused on her time as first lady and senator.
A private family service for Carnahan will be held at Carson Hill Cemetery near Ellsinore, Missouri, where both her husband and son are buried. Plans are also underway for a public service in St. Louis, with further details expected to be announced soon. Jean Carnahan leaves behind a lasting legacy as an influential female politician in Missouri and a pioneer for women in the political arena.
