(WVUE/FOX 8) Patricia Brister, former St. Tammany Parish President, passed away at the age of 73, her family announced Monday.
In a statement, her family said:
It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that the family of Patricia P. Brister announces her passing Monday, February 3, 2020. Pat Brister (73), was a loving mother, wife, sister, and grandmother, as well as a successful business owner, volunteer, diplomat, pioneering woman in State and National Republican politics, St. Tammany Parish Councilmember, and most recently the St. Tammany Parish President.
Parish President Brister was a role model, mentor, and trailblazer for women in Louisiana politics. Among her numerous talents was the ability to bridge diverse ideologies and collaborate to bring about the best solutions and improvements for the people of St. Tammany Parish, and the State of Louisiana. Her tireless spirit and unstoppable energy made her leadership infectious to all who encountered her. Her style, grace, confidence, and focused determination were among the qualities people admired and loved, especially by her family, those she worked with, her long-time friends and even those knew her from afar.
Brister leaves behind: her daughter Jill Beck Heebe (Clark), sons Matt Beck, Mark Beck, and Ken Brister, as well as her beloved grandchildren Ryan, Ross, Leigh, Kay, Beck, Davis, Libby, William, and Henry. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Joe, after 40 years of marriage, and her late-son Steven Brister.
Arrangements for a public memorial service are being finalized and will be announced in the coming days.
Brister was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.