WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jack Reed today issued the following statement on the passing of former Rhode Island First Lady Virginia Coates Chafee, 93, the widow of the late Governor and U.S. Senator John H. Chafee and mother of former U.S. Senator and Governor Lincoln Chafee:

“Virginia Chafee was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  As First Lady and the matriarch of the Chafee family, she was always kind and gracious and she helped make Rhode Island a better place.  We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Chafee family.”