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Antonina “Ann” Uccello, the first woman to be elected a mayor in Connecticut, passed away at the age of 100.
She won an upset victory as a Republican in Hartford in 1967 and went on to serve in the Nixon, Ford, and Carter administrations.
Uccello died of natural causes at a hospital in Hartford. Tributes from state political leaders poured in Tuesday afternoon as word of Uccello’s passing began circulating.
Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement, “Ann Uccello was a trailblazer who was born and raised in Hartford and dedicated her career in public service to the city she loved.
She had a remarkable spirit and energy, and she leaves a lasting legacy on Connecticut’s capitol city. Lt. Gov.
Susan Bysiewicz, also a Democrat, said Uccello shattered glass ceilings in the Connecticut political arena, then served as one of the highest-ranking women in the Nixon administration.
As mayor, Uccello was best known for comforting city residents and helping to prevent riots after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
She also worked to protect children from lead poisoning and helped create low- and moderate-income housing.
Uccello ran for the 1st Congressional District in the Hartford area in 1970, but lost a close race to Democrat William Cotter before taking the Department of Transportation job.
Uccello was one of five daughters of immigrants from Sicily, Italy. She was a devout Christian and never married.
Uccello’s funeral is expected to be held next week, and she will be buried at the historic Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, the final resting place of many notable Hartford residents and natives including actress Katharine Hepburn.
»Connecticut’s first female mayor, Antonina “Ann” Uccello, dies at age 100«
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