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Lt. Gov. Knoll loses her battle with cancer

Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, 78, the first woman elected to that office in Pennsylvania history, died today after a battle with a rare form of cancer.

Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, 78, the first woman elected to that office in Pennsylvania history, died today after a battle with a rare form of cancer.

"Today we mourn the passing of one of the strongest, most dedicated public servants in Pennsylvania's history," Gov. Rendell said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Catherine's family. She will be deeply missed."

Knoll died about 6 p.m. at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, where she was recovering from treatment for neuroendocrine cancer. She was surrounded by her family, according to the Governor's Office.

Knoll announced this summer she was suffering from the disease, which generally affects specialized cells that work to keep many of the body's hormonal and digestive functions in check.

She had vowed to return to work and did so for a day, presiding over the Senate for the start of its fall session, but she looked drawn and tired.

"She fought this illness with the same tenacity she brought to a lifetime of public service," her son Albert Baker Knoll said tonight.

She will be replaced as lieutenant governor by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson).

Drew Crompton, a spokesman for Scarnati, said a decision about a swearing-in ceremony will be made tomorrow. He said Scarnati will retain the role as president pro tempore as his predecessor Robert Jubelirer did in 2001 when Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker became governor after Gov. Tom Ridge left to become Homeland Security director.

As word of her passing spread, politicians raced to talk about her contribution to the state.

"Our commonwealth is saying goodbye to a true pioneer, and all those who knew Catherine feel a profound sense of loss this evening," said House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D., Greene). "Catherine was a trailblazer among female elected officials, and her love for the commonwealth transcended generations. We are all better politicians - male and female alike - for having known Catherine Baker Knoll."

"Her strength and character were plain for all to see, and she touched generations of Pennsylvanians," said House Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien (R., Phila.).

"She was a tremendous leader for the commonwealth and embodied the type of character expected of true, effective public servants," Scarnati said.

Said House Majority Whip Keith McCall (D., Carbon): "It is normally difficult to know when one is witnessing history, but anyone who has had the privilege of working with Catherine Baker Knoll knew that she was truly a Pennsylvanian for the ages."

One of nine children, Knoll was born in McKees Rocks, a working-class community outside Pittsburgh. She got into politics by campaigning at the side of her father, who was mayor.

Knoll's life was devoted to public service. She was a schoolteacher and a businesswoman, and she served eight years as state treasurer before joining Rendell on the Democratic gubernatorial ticket in 2002.

Knoll made history at the polls in 1994. Running for a second term as treasurer, she collected what at the time was the largest number of votes cast for a Democrat in a statewide race in Pennsylvania.

To Flavia Colgan, her former campaign manager and chief of staff, Knoll will be remembered for her "political authenticity."

"You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in this state who didn't think that this was a woman who [cared] tremendously about public service and who never forgot who she worked for - the voters," Colgan said last night.

G. Terry Madonna, a pollster and politics professor at Franklin and Marshall College, called Knoll "one of Pennsylvania's true political pioneers."

"She opened up doors for women in politics in our state that had been closed before. That will be one of her lasting legacies," Madonna said.

"She was one of those people who, at a drop of a hat, would go almost anywhere to give a speech or provide a helping hand. In this day and age, that's something a lot of politicians won't do."

Knoll in her later years had been criticized by some and ridiculed by others as not ready to assume the state's top political post if Rendell left office or died. At times, she could be politically clumsy.

She once made headlines by referring publicly to Rendell as Edward G. Robinson. In the summer of 2005, she was widely scolded for attending a funeral of a Marine killed in combat and passing out business cards. She later apologized.

Rendell called Knoll "a tremendous partner."

"If she made any mistakes, and we all do in public life, they were mistakes of the heart," Rendell said in an interview tonight, referring to the funeral incident. "She wasn't passing out cards to get votes. She was passing out cards because she wanted to help the family in any way to alleviate their problems."

Her late husband, Charles, was a U.S. postmaster. In addition to her son Albert, she is survived by her children Charles, Mina, and Kim Eric.

Funeral arrangements are pending, the family said.