Former US Rep Karen McCarthy dies at 63 due to Alzheimer complications

Former US Rep Karen McCarthy dies at 63 due to Alzheimer complications

2010-10-06 07:45:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (BNO NEWS) – Former United States Representative Karen McCarthy on Tuesday passed away at 63 due to complications related to Alzheimer disease.

McCarthy was a former English teacher that turned into a five-term member of the Congress. In June 2009, it was revealed that she was suffering from an advanced form of Alzheimer. At the time it was also said that she suffered from bipolar disorder that went undiagnosed for over a decade.

The former Democratic Representative spent her last days in comfort in a Johnson County nursing facility. Relatives said that she was in comfort and pleased with her achievements. McCarthy reportedly spent her last days with some measure of peace and satisfaction.

McCarthy represented Kansas City from 1995 through 2005. In 1994, after becoming president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, she easily defeated ten other Democratic candidates to Congress. During her political career, she advocated for the environment, public education, women’s rights and an expansion of prescription-drug coverage under Medicare. At one point, she was once listed, along Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice, as a potential first woman president.

After leaving Congress, she continued to stay involved in civic issues, including serving on the board overseeing the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District.

McCarthy was a longtime resident of Valentine neighborhood in Kansas City. She was divorced, after she married local attorney Arthur Benson, and had no children.

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