Marty Driesler, 60, former chief of staff for Rep. David Vitter (R-La.), died Nov. 30 after a three-year battle with lung cancer. Driesler executed her position as chief of staff until her retirement on Jan. 1, more than two years after her diagnosis in October 2000.

“She was an unbelievable mentor to me and all the staff,” Vitter said in a statement. “She truly made us all feel like we could do anything. Speaking for everyone in our office, present and past, we all loved Marty dearly and count her as a very special blessing in our lives.”

The Danville, Ky., native graduated from the University of Kentucky and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science. Soon after, she served as chief of staff for Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) for 12 years.

Driesler was a member of RAMS, an organization of House Republican chiefs of staff, and was one of the first women members. She worked for the Pacific Institute from 1993 to 2000 until she left to serve as Vitter’s chief of staff.

Driesler is survived by her husband, Stephen; four children, Dana, Dai, Stephen and Amy; a brother; and four grandchildren. A memorial service was held Dec.6 at the Emmaus United Church of Christ in Vienna, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to ALCASE, P.O. Box 4800, Portland, OR 97208.

— Carolyn Shuckerow