Sitting Mass. state representative from Wareham dies of cancer

policy

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

Gifford has represented Plymouth's 2nd District, which incorporates Carver, Middleboro and Wareham, since 2003. She most recently served as House Minority Whip.

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

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

Gifford was the rating minority member on the House Committee on Steering, Policy, and Scheduling, the rating 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 state's first tax cuts in 20 years.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives Republican Caucus also issued a press release calling her death a “tremendous loss” to the community and saying that their top priority was to “put people first.”

In your opinion Campaign websiteGifford lived in Wareham for greater than 20 years. Prior to her time as a state representative, she was an elector in Wareham for 3 years. Gov. Maura Healey praised Giffords' commitment to local politics in a press release Wednesday.

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

Gifford's website said she lives in Wareham together with her husband, Mark, and their rescue chocolate lab, Gusto.