PHOENIX — Rose Mofford, Arizona’s first female governor and a shepherd for the state during a period of political turbulence, died Thursday, a former spokeswoman said. She was 94.
Mofford was injured in a fall and went to a hospice facility last month where she died, former spokeswoman and longtime friend Athia Hardt said.
Mofford, a Democrat known for her signature snow-white beehive hairdo, served as governor from 1988 to 1991.
She was the elected secretary of state when she took over for Republican Gov. Evan Mecham, who was impeached and removed from office by the GOP-led Legislature. Arizona does not have a lieutenant governor.
Mofford did not run for her own term in 1990. She was succeeded by Republican Fife Symington, who resigned amid a real estate scandal in 1997. His fraud conviction was later overturned.
The Democrat in a traditionally Republican state was revered by members of both parties. Her death prompted an outpouring from Democrats and Republicans alike.
“Rising through the ranks of state government to our state’s top office, she shattered a once-thought unbreakable glass ceiling and served as an unparalleled role model to many,” said GOP Gov. Doug Ducey, who ordered flags be lowered to half-staff in her honor.
Mofford was the first of four female governors to lead the conservative state over the next two decades, including Republican Jane Hull, Democrat Janet Napolitano and Republican Jan Brewer.
“During challenging times for our state, Governor Mofford was the steady hand that led us through and held us together,” Ducey said.
Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, a Republican, said Mofford “stepped up when she needed to step up.”
“I don’t think she ever really necessarily wanted the spotlight or wanted to certainly be governor, but she believed in public service and she believed strongly in the state, especially the rural areas of the state,” Woods said.
“Rose Mofford came into office at a disruptive time,” said Tucsonan Jan Lesher, former chief of staff for Napolitano.
It was practically the norm for governors to leave before their term was up, Lesher said. Democratic Gov. Wesley Bolin had died after five months in office and his predecessor Raúl Castro left office before to be a United States ambassador.
Mofford, who grew up in Globe, was one of the few governors from outside of Maricopa and she brought a sense of calm, stability and continuity to the office, said Lesher, who is now deputy Pima County administrator for community and health services.
Woods said Mofford had a “very plain-spoken, blunt” style. She was also known for her quick, keen sense of humor.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, called her an “Arizona original, a gifted and groundbreaking leader” who provided the state with calming leadership.
Mofford came close to the governor’s office once before. She had been appointed secretary of state and was serving in that post when Bolin died in 1977. She was not eligible to succeed him because she had been appointed, so Attorney General Bruce Babbitt became governor.
When Mofford took over for Mecham more than a decade later, Hardt said she served on the transition team.
“There was no staff, so everybody went up as volunteers,” Hardt recalled. “We felt like we were liberating the state and doing something that was doing good for the state.”
Mofford, who frequently rode in the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade, was the grand marshal in 1986.
The former governor played softball for the amateur softball team Arizona Cantaloupe Queens in 1939. A Phoenix-area sports complex bears her name.
Born Rose Perica, Mofford was married to T.R. “Lefty” Mofford, but they divorced in 1967. They had no children.
