Jane Gephardt, wife of longtime politician and St. Louis native Dick Gephardt, dies at 81

Gephardt, who was born June 2, 1942, and raised in Nebraska, became a Missouri mainstay after meeting her husband while attending Northwestern University in Chicago, as the couple returned to Dick’s native St. Louis after their wedding in August 1966.

Jane supported her husband throughout his political career, which began in 1971 with a seat on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, then hit the national stage in 1976 when Dick was elected to represent Missouri’s 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Through more than a dozen congressional terms and two presidential campaigns, Jane continued to raise the couple’s three children — Matt, born in 1970, Chrissy (1973) and Kate (1977). As her husband worked in Congress, Jane continued her role as administrator for a pediatric office while also serving on the board of The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.

In her later years, Jane was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She participated in a clinical trial seeking a cure for the disease, hoping to help others even through her own diagnosis.

An obituary released online by the family notes, “Jane was kind, generous, selfless, empathic, and always put herself second to the needs of others. She treated others with authenticity, love, and kindness and lived her life with grace and humor. She is the personification of the Golden Rule.”

Several tributes from those who knew her were posted online Sunday as news of her death spread.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who succeeded Dick Gephardt as the House minority leader, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “It is with deep sadness that our family learned today of the passing of Jane Gephardt. For 63 years, her marriage to Dick Gephardt was a model of their love for each other, joy of their family and duty to our country. All who knew Jane knew that she was an angel among us — and now she is with the angels in Heaven. May she rest in peace.”

Political strategist and former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile, also on X, described Jane Gephardt as “a wonderful woman” who was “kind, smart and extremely helpful to our efforts. My heart goes out to former House Leader Richard A Gephardt.”

Jane Dueker, the lobbyist for the St. Louis' main police union and a former candidate for St. Louis County Executive, reposted news of Jane Gephardt’s death Sunday, including her own memorial: “What a lovely lady and a huge loss to all who ever met her. Love and prayers to the entire Gephardt family as they deal with such a tremendous loss.”

Jane Gephardt is survived by her husband, Dick, and their three children: Matt Gephardt and his wife, Tricia of Atlanta; Chrissy Gephardt and her wife, Christina, of Annapolis, Maryland; and Kate Greenberg and her husband, Neil, of McLean, Virginia, as well as eight grandchildren. Jane is also survived her brother, Tom Byrnes, and his wife, Elaine, of Longmont, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the Gephardt family asks that donations be made to the Gephardt Institute at Washington University in Jane’s honor. Details on a livestreamed memorial service will be released later.