OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee ordered flags to half-staff on Tuesday to honor the life of Georgette Valle.
Valle, who served as a state representative for 24 years, died "peacefully" on July 10 at age 99, according to her obituary. She was just four months shy of her 100th birthday.
Valle is survived by her two children and four grandchildren. Her husband Odd died in 2012 after the couple had been married for six decades.
The governor said he was "deeply saddened" by Valle's death, in a release. All state agency facilities were ordered to lower their flags Tuesday until close of business or sunset, or first thing Wednesday morning.
Valle served five terms in the state House, two in the 31st district -- 1965-1976 and 1973-1983 -- and one in the 34th district, from 1987-1997.
Valle first ran for state office in 1962, losing by just 320 votes, according to an interview she and her husband did with the Highline Museum, before winning in the next election.
She called passing the Washington Indoor Clean Air Act the highlight of her legislative career. Passed in 1985 and dubbed the No Smoking Act, it banned smoking in most public places. Valle said in an interview that she fought for 12 years to pass it in Olympia.
According to a biography on the state legislature's website, Valle also championed environmental issues, focused on the quality of education and the implementation of tax reform.
Valle also served one term on the Burien City Council and founded the Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park.
A memorial service is planned for July 30 at 4 p.m. at Normandy Park United Church of Christ, the release from the governor's office said.
Her family asked for donations to the Environmental Science Center in lieu of flowers.
