First California Assembly-woman died today at the age of 90

Newport Beach, CA--Marian Bergeson, the first woman to be elected to the California Assembly and state Senate, died today at the age of 90.

Bergeson died this morning at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, the city where she made her first successful foray into politics with her election to the school board in 1964.

She had been battling pancreatic cancer for the past four years, said Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff.

Bergeson “recovered well following surgery and related treatment the first time around, but it came back,'' Kiff said, and she underwent another operation at Hoag about three weeks ago to remove a cancerous tumor.

“We are all very sad and we will miss her a great deal,'' Kiff said. “She was just one heck of a nice lady besides being a great elected official.''

The Newport Beach resident was elected to the Assembly in 1978 and served until 1984, when she was elected to the state Senate, where she served three terms.

Bergeson also was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 1994, but resigned two years later when she was appointed as the state's Secretary of Education.

Bergeson also served on the state Board of Education and the California Transportation Commission.

The five current members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors expressed condolences to Bergeson's family and spoke of her legacy.

“We will always be grateful for the time she spent contributing her energy, optimism and intellect to help solve problems across California,'' said board Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett.

Vice Chairwoman Michelle Steel called Bergeson a “true pioneer and an inspiration to many,'' while Supervisor Andrew Do noted her legacy will live on with the Marian Bergeson Excellence in Public Service series, which urges more women to participate in politics.

“For generations to come, Orange County will remember Marian Bergeson for her leadership and lifetime of service,'' Do said.

Supervisor Shawn Nelson said Bergeson had a “nearly unparalleled stature in this county for good reason. She understood more than most the intricacies of local and state government and devoted her life to solving problems.''

Supervisor Todd Spitzer characterized her as “the smartest, classiest person and elected official I have ever met.''

“She continued to attend most social and political events despite her years of fighting illness,'' he said. “She was deeply committed to her family, her husband Garth and her children. She leaves an amazing and earned legacy. We are all better off knowing and working alongside her.''

Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, said California “has lost a trailblazing political icon in Marian Bergeson, who exemplified the very best in public service.''

“Few people have influenced Orange County and California politics more effectively than Marian did,'' Bates said.

Bergeson “was a strong champion of education and transportation and worked well with others -- including those who disagreed with her,'' she said. “I am blessed to have known Marian as a friend, as she was instrumental in helping me and many other Orange County women in running for public office. One of my happiest memories was Marian swearing me in as an Orange County supervisor in 2007.''

Assemblyman Bill Brough, R-Dana Point, said Bergeson was “a titan of public service'' in California.

“At all levels of Orange County government, and to the heights of Sacramento, Marian Bergeson blazed a trail and forged a path as an eminently creative, compassionate and collegial elected and appointed leader,'' he said. “She was a person whose career and accomplishments commanded respect and regard, but in person was always warm and welcoming. We may be a long time in ever seeing the likes of Marian Bergeson again, but we will always have her shining example.''

Bergeson, who was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, is survived by her husband and children, Garth Jr., James and Julie McCormick. Daughter Nancy, who was a public defender in Portland, Oregon, was murdered in November 2009, and the crime remains unsolved.

City News Service