Wife of late Vermont US Sen. Stafford dies at 93

RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) — Helen Stafford, the wife of late Vermont U.S. Sen. Robert Stafford, has died. She was 93.

Glenn Gershaneck, a former aid to the late senator, says Stafford died Sunday. He told the Burlington Free Press that Helen Stafford died while under hospice care at her home at The Gables in Rutland.

Former Vermont Sen. Robert Stafford died at 93 in 2006 after a long political career that included two years as governor, 11 years in the House and 17 years in the Senate before retiring in 1989. He was a staunch environmentalist and champion of education whose name became familiar to countless college students through a loan program named for him.

Gershaneck said Stafford is survived by four daughters and grandchildren.