It is with deep regret that the Allegheny County Democratic Committee announces the passing of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.

Catherine Baker was born in McKees Rocks, the daughter of Nick Baker and Teresa May. While a graduate at Duquesne University in 1952, she met and married Charles A. Knoll. Charles Knoll and Catherine had three sons and one daughter, Charles A. Knoll Jr. Esquire, Mina Baker Knoll, Albert Baker Knoll Esquire, and Dr. Kim Eric Knoll.

Catherine began her political career as a campaign worker for local and statewide Democratic candidates, first for her father, Nick, and later for Governor Milton Shapp. When Shapp was elected governor in 1970, he awarded Knoll a job with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

She also served as State Treasurer from 1988 until 1996.
In 2002, Ms. Knoll became Pennsylvania's first Woman Lietenant Governor. When she ran for re-election in 2006, Knoll won the Democratic nomination by a large margin. On November 7, 2006, she and Governor Rendell easily defeated Republican challengers Lynn Swann and Jim Matthews.

At this year's Annual Kennedy Lawrence Dinner, Ms. Knoll was presented with the Party's lifetime acheivement award, which was accepted by her son, Charles A. Knoll, Jr., Esquire.

"Catherine Baker Knoll's successes over the years have been an inspiration to many women wishing to get involved in politics", said Allegheny County Democratic Chairman Jim Burn. "One of her greatest gifts was the ability to relate to anyone and make them comfortable. She never forgot where she came from, and it was this small town approach which inevitably propelled her into the history books as the State's first woman lieutenant governor. We are all going to miss her dearly."