Longtime state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante passed early Thanksgiving morning after battling pancreatic cancer for over five years.

“It is with a broken heart that we announce the loss of our dear friend and mentor Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, who passed away early this morning at the age of 53 after a long and brave journey with pancreatic cancer,” the representative’s Facebook page announced early Thursday.

Ferrante was elected to the Massachusetts state Legislature in 2008, representing Gloucester, Rockport and Essex. The longtime Democrat representative was diagnosed with cancer five years before her death on Thursday.

Ferrante “dedicated her legislative career to ensuring that Cape Ann always had a seat at the table in legislative matters; always focused on our fishermen, jobs and economic development, and helping those in need,” the Facebook announcement read.

Gov. Maura Healey ordered all flags at state buildings to be lowered to half staff on Thursday.

The governor called Ferrante a “dear friend” and “one of the most selfless people I know.”

“The proud daughter and granddaughter of Gloucester fishermen, Ann-Margaret was a fierce champion for the people of Cape Ann for more than 15 years, always advocating for our fishermen, making Gloucester a hub for marine biotechnology, and investing in vocational training to set students and local businesses up for success,” Healey wrote.

Among her accomplishments, the Facebook post detailed, Ferrante led in the establishment of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Inc. and Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, bringing the Imagination Library to Cape Ann’s children, the expansion of The Open Door for those in need.

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said Ferrante “was Gloucester” and “worked with a passion that came from a lifetime of loving the place she grew up and its people.”

“Her leadership was marked by integrity, compassion and an unwavering belief in the potential of her community,” Driscoll said. “Across the Commonwealth, colleagues knew her as a thoughtful policymaker and a determined advocate. But to Gloucester, she was something even more: she was a champion, a protector and a constant source of pride.”

Healey noted Ferrante continued “advocating for policies that would support future cancer patients and survivors even while going through treatment herself.”

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“I will miss her humor, her guidance, her passion and, most of all, her friendship,” Healey said. “My heart goes out to her family, friends and all who loved her. Massachusetts is a better place because of Ann-Margaret Ferrante.”

The announcement states Ferrante’s obituary and details on arrangements would be “forthcoming” and asked all to keep her “family and loved ones in your thoughts.”