Massachusetts Democrats were saddened late last week to learn that former state First Lady Kitty Dukakis had passed away. 

John Dukakis is Mrs. Dukakis' son, and he told Boston's WCVB 5 on Friday that his mother had passed away the previous night at the age of 88.

Mrs. Dukakis served multiple terms as first lady

The news station recalled how Mrs. Dukakis was born Katharine Dickson and went on to marry future Democratic Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1963.

Her husband was first elected to head the state in 1974 and continued as governor until 1991 except for a four-year gap between 1979 and 1983.

He became the Democratic Party's presidential nominee in 1988 but ultimately lost the general election to President George H.W. Bush.

WCVB 5 noted how Mrs. Dukakis' emotional nature was often seen as something which complimented her husband's famously cool demeanor.

Massachusetts Democratic Party praises Mrs. Dukakis' "honesty and bravery"

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Democratic Party put out a statement which described the former state first lady in glowing terms.

"Kitty Dukakis used her role as First Lady of the Commonwealth to champion refugees and the homeless, promote greater awareness of the Holocaust, and advocate for placing more women in leadership roles within state government," the statement read.

"Yet, it was her courage in publicly sharing her struggles with depression and substance use disorder that truly defined her strength," it continued.

"Her honesty and bravery helped break down stigma, inspiring countless others to seek support and begin their own journeys of recovery," the statement went on to add.

Massachusetts attorney general says Mrs. Dukakis' "legacy will live on"

News of Mrs. Dukakis' death was met with tributes to the former state first lady, including from Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

"Kitty had courage. She used her personal pain as a powerful force to help others," Campbell wrote in a social media post on Saturday.

Kitty had courage. She used her personal pain as a powerful force to help others. Her legacy will live on in the policies she helped shape and the people she inspired to speak their own truths.

My thoughts, prayers and love are with Michael and the entire Dukakis family. https://t.co/KySmx2fCQw

— AG Andrea Joy Campbell (@MassAGO) March 22, 2025

"Her legacy will live on in the policies she helped shape and the people she inspired to speak their own truths," the Democratic official continued before adding, "My thoughts, prayers and love are with Michael and the entire Dukakis family."