Virginia Coates Chafee, Wife of Governor and Senator, Mother of Senator and Governor, Passes Away
Saturday, March 21, 2020
The Chafee family announced Saturday the passing of Virginia Coates Chafee at 93.
She was the wife of John Chafee — one of Rhode Island’s greatest statesmen and arguably the most pro-environment senator in the history of the chamber.
Her son -- Lincoln Chafee -- served as a United States Senator and Governor of Rhode Island.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe matriarch of Chafee Political Legacy
John Chafee was elected Governor of Rhode Island at the age of 40 years old in 1962.
He then served as Secretary of the Navy and United States Senator — the life took the couple to live in the Washington, D.C. area for decades.
“The companion and confidant of a politician on the national stage, though never a public person herself, she kept well-informed on the questions of the day, formed her own opinions and expressed them well. She had an unaffected way and a warm human touch that endeared her to those of all ages and stations in life,” the family said in a statement.
Mrs. Chafee was the mother of six children including Lincoln Chafee, the former U.S. Senator and Governor of Rhode Island. Today, he is a potential candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination for president.
“Mrs. Chafee was the backbone of the family — she was an absolute partner with the Senator. She never interfered, but you knew he listened to her advice and counsel. It is a great American story,” said Josh Fenton, CEO and co-founder of GoLocal and who served on John Chafee's staff from 1985 to 1989.
The couple lost one child in a horseback riding accident.
She is survived by her children, besides Lincoln, including Zechariah, Georgia, John Jr., and Quintin.
In addition, she was the aunt of Lisa Najeeb Halaby -- later Queen Noor of Jordan.
The funeral will be private.
Related Articles
- NEW: Chafee to Address RI Progressive Democrats Monday Night
- EDITORIAL: Mr. Reed, We Knew John Chafee and Claiborne Pell and We Wish You Were Like Them
- Chafee Urges Raimondo to Seek Guidance Before Implementing Voluntary Retirement Initiative
- Thursday on LIVE: Former RI Gov. Chafee & Discovering Justice’s Karagianis
- Former Governor Chafee Questions “Mistakes” in Providence Police Shooting
- UPDATED: Raimondo Staffer Attacks Former Gov. Chafee on His Wife’s Facebook Page
- Chafee on GoLocal LIVE Says Raimondo Too Cozy With Corps, He Is Thinking About Run for Gov
- Chafee: Comey Investigation a “Non-Issue” Compared to Iraq War
- Chafee Says Raimondo is RI’s “Hillary Clinton”
- Democratic Party Attacks Former Democratic Governor Chafee
- Guest MINDSETTER™ Stewart: Is The Next Governor Lincoln Chafee?
- Bolton is “Not a Good Man,” Says Chafee of Trump’s NSA Pick on LIVE
- Chafee Says He Is “Very Unlikely” to Run for Governor in 2018
- Chafee Says He’s Open to Another Presidential Bid—as a Libertarian
- End of Political Dynasty in Rhode Island? Chafee Moves to Wyoming
- EDITORIAL: 20 Years After John Chafee’s Death — We Miss His Vision and Leadership the Most
- One of RI’s Most Prominent & Wealthy Women - Sophie Danforth, Mother of Stephanie Chafee, Has Died
- Former Governor Chafee Celebrates Festivus with Colorado Libertarians
- Primary Night Coverage: RIC’s Val Endress and Former Gov. Lincoln Chafee
- BREAKING: Chafee Says Raimondo Too “Scared” to Debate
- UPDATED: Chafee Tells GoLocal He Will Primary Whitehouse for U.S. Senate
- EXCLUSIVE: Chafee Out of U.S. Senate Race
- NEW: Chafee Endorses Brown for Governor
- In 2014, Chafee, Cicilline, and McCain Were 3 of the Most Unpopular Politicians in U.S.
- Could Chafee Be the 2020 Version of Ralph Nader and Be the Spoiler for the Democrats
