Kitty Dukakis was Mike’s partner in the true sense of the word. She was intelligent, enlightened and forceful in her views on life, politics, and governing.

She was a presence at the State House and had an office in the governor’s suite at the State House during Dukakis’ three terms as governor. He listened to her and often took her advice, as he did when he ran for president in 1988.

Kitty, as a wife and as First Lady, was quite protective of Mike. She was outspoken on her views. One of her charms was that you always know where you stood with her, and if you didn’t, she would tell you.

She made sure that the historic Bulfinch State House was well maintained and kept in proper order, including all the portraits of past governors in the hallways as well as the numerous historical artifacts throughout the building.

She insisted on keeping the state’s roads and highways free of trash and initiated a program to plant wildflowers in the grassy medium of state roads.

Both smokers, Kitty and I once vowed to quit smoking together. It happened at a Dukakis Christmas party in his office in 1985. Kitty and I, the only smokers in the room, were shunned and sidelined to a corner open window where we puffed away.

We made a New Year’s Day promise to quit, and she would check and compare our progress.

You could know Kitty not only as the Gov. Mike Dukakis’ wife, but as an accomplished, bright and independent woman in her own right.

A solid campaigner, she helped a wiser and more compassionate Dukakis return to office after he was rudely ousted from office by conservative Democrat Ed King in 1978. Dukakis returned to office in 1982, was reelected in 1986 and ran for president in 1988. After his defeat at the hands of Republican George H.W. Bush, Dukakis finished out his term as governor in 1990.

It was a remarkable run by a remarkable man, made possible by the love and help of his longtime wife, friend and partner—Kitty Dukakis