Politics

Sitting Mass. state representative dies of cancer, remembered as ‘incredible advocate’

Representative Susan Williams Gifford died in her home on Tuesday after battling cancer, her team said.

Representative Susan Williams Gifford died on Tuesday, representatives for her offices said.

October 23, 2024

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Longtime state representative Susan Williams Gifford died Tuesday after a cancer battle, a spokesperson for her office said. She was 64.

Gifford had represented the 2nd Plymouth District, which includes Carver, Middleboro, and Wareham, since 2003. Recently, she served as the House Minority Whip.

Former Governor Charlie Baker expressed his condolences in the statement, calling Gifford an “incredible advocate.”

“Representative Gifford was a strong advocate for her district, her community, and constituents,” Baker said. “I am grateful for the friendship, and the more than two decades of service she provided to the 2nd Plymouth District and beyond.”

Gifford served as the Ranking Minority Member on the House Committee on Steering, Policy, and Scheduling, the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Agriculture, and a member of the House Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement. The statement announcing her death said Gifford helped deliver the first tax cuts to the state in 20 years.

The Massachusetts House Republican Caucus also issued a statement, calling her death was a “tremendous loss” for the community and saying her first priority was ‘putting people first.”

According to her campaign website, Gifford lived in Wareham for more than two decades. Before her time as State Representative, she was a Wareham Selectwoman for three years. Governor Maura Healey praised Gifford’s commitment to local politics in a statement on Wednesday.

“She was a dedicated public servant who always put the needs of her constituents first,” Healey said. “We will miss her partnership and leadership.”

Gifford’s website said she lived in Wareham with her husband Mark and her rescue chocolate lab, Gusto.