Former first lady of the Commonwealth Ellen Casey passed away on Friday at the age of 91.

Casey was the widow of former Gov. Robert Casey and mother of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

The Caseys were married for 50 years and had eight children. Robert Casey was governor of the Keystone State from 1987-95. He preceded her in death in 2000.

A statement from the Casey family: pic.twitter.com/g0F9zKo9u6

— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) August 11, 2023

Current Gov. Josh Shapiro has ordered flags on state facilities, public buildings and grounds to fly at half-staff in Ellen Casey’s honor.

“Ellen was an ambassador for the commonwealth and her beloved home of Scranton. Like Governor Casey, she made family, health, and children part of her life’s work,” first lady Lori Shapiro said in a news release. “Her work to raise awareness around breast cancer, literacy and so much more made the lives of countless Pennsylvanians better.”

Former Gov. Tom Ridge said he and his wife, Michele, offered sympathy to the Casey family.

“When we first moved into the governor’s residence in January 1995, no one was more welcoming, open and gracious to our family than Ellen Casey,” he said in an statement. “Her thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit during that period of transition helped us immensely, especially Michele who as the new first lady welcomed Ellen’s good counsel about setting up a home in Harrisburg.

“Her leadership and advocacy on behalf of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition has positively impacted the lives of countless women across the commonwealth. Her work in that area continues to this day.

“All of us so admired Ellen’s strength during former Governor Casey’s significant health challenges and the care and love she shared not only with her husband but her entire family. She was always there for Governor Casey and the family, a true matriarch in every sense of the word.”

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-08) noted Casey’s passing: “She was a credit to our area and our nation.”

A viewing is scheduled for Thursday from 2-8 p.m. at Saint Peter’s Cathedral in downtown Scranton.

A funeral mass will be held at the cathedral on Friday at 10 a.m. and the burial will be private at Saint Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow.