HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Catherine Baker Knoll, a McKees Rocks native who became the first woman to be elected as Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor, died Wednesday. She was 78.

Her death came at about 6 p.m. at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., surrounded by her family, Gov. Ed Rendell said. She was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in July and began radiation and chemotherapy treatments. She also suffered a lingering infection.

"She fought this illness with the same tenacity she brought to a lifetime of public service," said her son, Albert Baker Knoll. "Our mother loved working for the people of Pennsylvania and was proud of the friendship she enjoyed throughout the commonwealth."

Knoll will lie in repose in the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg from noon on Nov. 21 until 2 p.m. on Nov. 22. Her body will then be taken to St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Nov. 23. Funeral services will be private.

"On behalf of all Pennsylvania, Midge and I extend heart-felt sympathy to Catherine's family," Rendell said in a statement. "Today, we mourn the passing of one of the strongest, most dedicated public servants in Pennsylvania's history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Catherine's family. She will be deeply missed."

Family, Friends Remember Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll

Your Messages Of Condolence In Pictures: Catherine Baker Knoll Baker Knoll Dies From Cancer Gov. Ed Rendell On Baker Knoll's Death McKees Rocks Remembers Baker Knoll

McKees Rocks recalls Knoll as a trailblazer for the community and women.

"Katherine was speaking to these young students and giving them the message that you can accomplish anything, if you believe in yourself. If you're willing to put in the hard work," said Taris Vreck of McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation.

"She put her heart and soul into it and I think she was proud of that. She sort of led us -- the rest of us -- through that transition," said Knoll's neighbor Marjorie Hohl.

They all say Knoll led by example.

"She never forgot where she was from. She never forgot who she grew up with," Hohl said.

Sen. Joseph B. Scarnati III, R-District 25, president pro tempore of the state Senate, will fill Baker Knoll's position for the remainder of her second term, which expires in January 2011.

Baker Knoll Battled Illness

The lieutenant governor returned for the start of the fall Senate schedule on September, but she showed signs of fatigue and on Sept. 22 announced she would heed the advice of doctors, family members and colleagues and take time off.

"Even as she fought cancer in recent months, she remained upbeat and dedicated to serving the commonwealth," Rendell said. "Catherine was a very passionate and exuberant advocate for many worthy causes. Her passing is a tremendous loss for the many people whose lives she touched."

She was so committed to presiding over the Senate that, even cancer-stricken, she told Senate Minority Leader Robert J. Mellow, D-Lackawanna, in September that she felt badly about putting down the gavel, in case she was needed to cast a tie-breaking vote for the party.

Mellow described a determined woman who was passionate about being an elected official -- she would go anywhere, any time to represent the state, he said -- and serving the Catholic church.

"If there is a Heaven and Hell, then when she passed away she went straight to Heaven," Mellow said.

"We mourn the passing of one of the strongest, most dedicated public servants in Pennsylvania's history." - Gov. Ed Rendell

"Catherine's life was one of service and sacrifice, courage and commitment to the common good," said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. "She was a proud native of Allegheny County, who was elected four times to statewide office, often by record margins."

Per the state constitution, the president pro tempore of the state Senate becomes lieutenant governor for the remainder of the term. The senate seat then becomes vacant until filled by election as any other vacancy in the Senate.

Hometown Mourns McKees Rocks' Own

She rose from her Allegheny County roots to the second most-powerful office in the state. Western Pennsylvania leaders and residents remembered Baker Knoll as a dedicated and caring leader.

Dearest Katie, You surely will be missed, with all the wonderful things you have done for us here in Pittsburgh. You truly were one of a kind person. I met you back in 2001 while I was working for the Sheriff Reserves. Again thank you for all you have done. May God Bless you and keep you safe, - Michael Van Stewart Leave Your Condolence Messages

"The best way to sum up Catherine Baker Knoll is a wonderful public servant, a caring and compassionate human being," said Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills.

"Catherine Baker Knoll was one of the most dedicated public servants in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said. "Strength and determination defined her personal life, as well as her professional and political careers. As the first woman elected to the office of lieutenant governor, she will be remembered as a trailblazer."

Baker Knoll grew up in a house on Chartiers Avenue.

"She did a lot for this town, the town area, helping this area that was depressed, McKees Rocks. She'll be missed a lot around here," said Bill Harrison, of McKees Rocks.

People knew she was ill, but still were taken aback by the fact she'd died.

"She was a good person. You know, it's just a sad loss for the commonwealth and everyone else involved," said Roger Wilson, of McKees Rocks.

Paul Gaito, of McKees Rocks, grew up with Baker Knoll's son, Kim, and said he spent many happy hours in their home.

"When you lose any part of the family member, it's always sad, especially the older ones, grandma and mothers like that, but you know, it's sad. My heart goes out to Kim Newell and his family," Gaito said.

Teacher, Businesswoman, Politician Left Behind Legacy

A former schoolteacher and Democratic veteran, Baker Knoll served two terms as state treasurer beginning in 1988. When she won re-election in 1992, she received one of the largest vote totals ever for a statewide Democratic candidate.

"She will be remembered for generations because of her work in creating the Tuition Account Program, which has made it possible for tens of thousands of young people to attend college," Sen. Casey said. "On a personal note, she was my friend, and I, like many Pennsylvanians will miss her indomitable spirit and her compassion for those without a voice."

"Her strength and character were plain for all to see and she touched generations of Pennsylvanians. ... She was a plain-spoken, genuine person and our state has suffered a great loss with her departure," said House Speaker Dennis O'Brien, R-Philadelphia.

"She was very instrumental in getting very important pieces of legislation through the commonwealth and also being a trailblazer in terms of setting the stage for women to get in involved in government," Costa said.

Baker Knoll contributed to her community through her longstanding service to the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women, Federal Home Loan Bank Board of Pittsburgh, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Angel's Place, the NAACP, Elder Care, Inc., Pennsylvania Nature Conservancy and the Pittsburgh Golden Triangle.

You can read more about Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll's political history by clicking here on ThePittsburghChannel.com

Previous Stories:

• August 21, 2008: Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll Reveals Cancer Fight
• October 31, 2002: Catherine Baker Knoll - Biography

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