by KYW's Tony Romeo
Pennsylvania is mourning the death of the first woman elected lieutenant governor of the state. Catherine Baker Knoll, 78, has lost her battle against cancer (see related story).
Knoll, a Democrat, was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 30th lieutenant governor in January 2003, after previously serving eight years as state treasurer.
Knoll was a native of McKees Rocks (Allegheny County), Pa., and was a schoolteacher and businesswoman before entering politics.
This past summer, she announced that she was suffering from neuroendocrine illness, a form of cancer. In September, she triumphantly returned to her duties presiding over the state senate:
“I’m looking forward to a productive fall legislative session, and I know you also are.”
But the illness had taken its toll, and Knoll, unable to continue, relinquished her gavel a few days later. In accordance with the state constitution, she will be succeeded by the president pro tempore of the state senate -- Joseph Scarnati (R) of Jefferson County.
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