RIP: Former Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)

Carolyn McCarthy, whose husband was murdered and son partially paralyzed by Long Island Railroad gunman Colin Ferguson in 1993, passed away last week.

She was a personal hero to me. Although we had moved to St. Louis before the LIRR massacre, we had lived a few blocks away from the McCarthys. They had attended the same church. From 1973-76, my husband had ridden the same train, the 6:06 out of Penn Station, that was attacked. My sister was trying to catch that train out of NYC that day, but fortunately she missed it. My good friend's husband was on the train and was so traumatized afterwards that he sought a transfer with his company and moved the family to Florida's Atlantic coast.

But McCarthy's husband and son, who had worked in the financial district, were hit. Her husband died. Her son was paralyzed on one side of his body, and McCarthy, a nurse, was by his side during his long recovery.

And when she saw her Republican Congressman, Norman Lent, vote "yes" on a vote to allow plastic gun manufacture, she ran for Congress and served in her district until retiring in 2013.

McCarthy said she was embraced and throughout her 18-year career helped pass 15 pieces of major legislation through three presidents. She was also devoted to making changes in education and health care, with some voters telling her she had inspired them to become nurses.

"I get chills when I think about how many lives I was able to change because God put me on this path," McCarthy. "I just wanted to make a difference."

In January, President Biden honored McCarthy with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor in the United States.

"Our nation and our Island have lost a fierce champion"​

"I was proud to serve with Carolyn McCarthy in Congress. After losing her husband and nearly losing her son in the 1993 LIRR massacre, Carolyn turned tragedy into a lifelong fight to end gun violence. Carolyn was kind, principled, and strong. She will be deeply missed," Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote on social media. Carolyn McCarthy, former N.Y. congresswoman and staunch gun control advocate, dies at 81

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She became my role model, showing me that one ordinary citizen can make a difference, as I traveled around the country following my husband's career, trying to use my talents to make the world a better place. Thank you, Rep. McCarthy, for turning your personal tragedy into triumph.