MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin's first female lieutenant governor, Margaret Farrow, was laid to rest Friday, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades.
In many ways, Farrow embodied lifelong learning. Her own passion for politics was lit during a civics lesson when she was in middle school.
Farrow, who grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, began her career of public service in 1976 when she served as a trustee, and eventually as village president, in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.
Elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1986, Farrow then went on to run for state Senate in 1989, after which she was re-elected three more times.
In 2001, Farrow became the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor after being appointed by Republican Gov. Scott McCallum who had previously held that office but became governor upon the departure of Tommy Thompson.
Republicans and Democrats alike shared fond memories of working alongside Farrow.
The notion of "service before self" is how former state lawmaker Judy Robson remembered her.
“She faced the same issues that many women legislators faced in the late '80s, which is that you come into the Legislature and it's male-oriented,” Robson explained. “Even the building was male-oriented. Women in the Legislature, in the Assembly, really didn't even have a proper restroom.”
Robson, a nurse, had won a special election for Assembly and came aboard amid a budget process when not many colleagues had the time to help her, let alone someone from across the aisle like Farrow.
“I remember one time I voted, and she gave me the elbow and said 'Judy, you shouldn't vote that way,'” Robson said. “'You vote the other way,' and I was actually voting with her party and so she told me, she gave me the heads up and said 'Judy, you need to change your vote, you need to vote with your party,' and I thought this is really a classy lady. Not too partisan and really took me on as somebody that she cared about.”
Republican Mary Panzer also worked with Farrow in both the Assembly and Senate.
“Margaret became a mentor to myself, who is a little bit younger than she was, and we had some very strong discussions,” Panzer said. “We didn't always agree, but I always learned from her, and I always respected her. But most of all, [she] was someone you could always count on.”
Panzer said Farrow will also be remembered for the numerous boards she served on, along with her work after being in elected office.
“Besides making government more approachable and important in our citizens' lives, and respected, is part of that was what she did with WisconsinEye and having that sort of public viewpoint that will be her legacy going forward.”
Farrow also served on the Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin System.
“Every job she's ever held was with diplomacy, distinction, a toughness, and a kindness,” former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who also recently served as interim president of the UW System, said during a WisPolitics event.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers also worked with Farrow and ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff Friday in honor of her.
“Kathy and I are very saddened to hear of the passing of former Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow, whose distinguished career and service to the people of Wisconsin will go down in our state’s history books," Gov. Evers said in a statement. "Former Lieutenant Governor Farrow and I served on the Board of Regents together, and I was always grateful for her perspective and her kindness."
Farrow, who passed away peacefully at home last Tuesday, was 87 years old.