Former state Sen. Frances Farley, who once described herself as having "an aggravated sense of social justice," died Friday due to complications associated with Alzheimer's disease. She was 80.
Farley was an outspoken advocate for a wide range of issues during her political career, including involving more women in politics, removing the sales tax from food and prescription drugs and banishing the MX missile from Utah.
A Democrat, she was the first woman to be elected to the Utah Senate in 20 years when District 1 voters sent her there in 1976. She served in that post until 1982, when she made a bid for Congress.
She lost but ran again in 1984, when she was defeated by less than 500 votes.
Farley returned to the state Senate in 1986 for four more years.
"You are dealing with a very unusual woman in Frances Farley," said her husband of 57 years, Gene. "She was a politician, obviously, but she was more a diplomat than a politician."
He said his wife could get into a conversation with someone who vehemently disagreed with her and yet, by the time they finished talking, "they would wind up smiling and shaking hands."
Utah Democrats planned to pay tribute to Farley at their annual fund-raiser Saturday night. "She was such an important part of the Democratic Party," state party chairman Donald Dunn said.
"She was a real trailblazer," he said. "She helped pave the way for people like Karen Shepherd to be elected to Congress." Dunn also praised Farley for "the job that she did promoting good public policy."
Shepherd, who was encouraged by Farley to seek elected office, served as a representative from Utah's 2nd Congressional District a decade ago. Shepherd said in a statement that she "looked to Frances as a role model of integrity and courage under fire."
"She led the way for all the women of Utah to follow, and if making a difference in the community is what matters to a life, as I think it very much mattered for her, she did that. She was a warrior for peace, for women, for human rights and for the environment."
Farley was born in North Dakota and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota before heading to New York for a master's degree in marketing.
It was in New York that she met the man who would become her husband. The couple settled in Minnesota, where Farley managed the political campaign of a friend. When her husband was transferred to Utah, she became politically active here.
Before she ran for office, Farley managed Stephen Holbrook's legislative campaign. The former state representative has described Farley as "a very sharp, thinking person. She cares for people who are less able to care for themselves, and she is fiercely honest."
In addition to her husband, Farley is survived by their daughter Betsy, son Kit and granddaughter Jessica.
No memorial services are planned, and the family requests no flowers be sent.