Earlier this week, friends, family and colleagues celebrated the life of Jenny Oropeza, a California state Senator, who passed away from complications related to an abdominal blood clot.
A previous cancer survivor, Oropeza’s battle with the disease lead her to champion legislation on the environment, cancer, anti-smoking laws and other health-related issues, according CA Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, who spoke at the memorial service.
“Her illness may have, in fact, saved many lives,” Steinberg said.
Oropeza was elected to the Senate in 2006. Prior to that, she served six years both in the Assembly and on the Long Beach City Council.
During her career dedicated to public service, the late senator enjoyed a number of “firsts” – the first student body president to be elected twice at California State University, Long Beach, the first Latina appointed to the board of California State University, and the first Latina elected to Long Beach’s council.
Oropeza, who is survived by her husband, mother, sister, brother and niece, was 53.
Recent Comments