Former State Representative Gloria Fox, who represented Roxbury and parts of Dorchester in the Legislature for three decades, has passed away at the age of 82 after a short illness.

Representative Fox was the longest-serving woman in the House of Representatives when she retired in 2016. He held many positions as an MP and was a long-standing member of the influential Ways and Means Committee.

“Gloria Fox was a force of nature, brave, passionate and uncompromising in her commitment to our community,” said Rep. Brandy Fluker Oakley (D-Mattapan). “Her fearless voice and relentless advocacy set a powerful example and laid the foundation for future generations of Black women in the State House, including me. We honor her legacy, courage, and indomitable spirit that will continue to inspire us for years to come.”

Mary-dith Tuitt, who worked as Fox’s legislative aide for the second half of her legislative career, said the late MP would be remembered as a supporter for disenfranchised people across the Commonwealth, far beyond the borders of her Roxbury-based district. 7. Suffolk.

“He was passionate about equality for the disenfranchised, especially foster children, because he was raised in that system,” Tuitt said. “He felt families needed to be reunited and worked to keep the community whole and united because he had lost his own brother in the system for so long.”

Fox was first elected in a 1985 special election to replace Doris Bunte, the first Black woman elected to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Tuitt said.

“When Doris Bunte decided to retire, she said, ‘Okay, Gloria, it’s your turn,'” Tuitt said. “(Rep. Fox) was a challenger once, but he was unchallenged for most of his life.

“Even though it was uncontroversial, he was getting 90 percent of the vote, he wasn’t sitting idle,” Tuitt added. “The people saw that he was doing the people’s job and everyone supported him, even those who didn’t live in the 7th district. “He didn’t take days off.”

Rep. Fox’s reputation for hard work and determination to advocate for her less fortunate neighbors inspired multiple generations in her family, her granddaughter Jovani Fox said this week.

“His work shines through in the work we’re doing right now,” said Fox, who also works in government. “We grew up in that environment with many good memories at the Government House, which was like my other home for me before my grandmother retired. Room 167 was in the house. He instilled in us a wonderful sense of community and was always reaching upwards.

When Fox gave his final speech to the House of Representatives in late 2016, he recalled his efforts to fight poverty in the 1960s and how he had worked on community development initiatives in the Roxbury neighborhood since then.

“It will not end with this day. I plan to be involved in community, human service and development in many ways,” Fox said.

Referring to the first passage of President-elect Donald Trump, he added: “We’re going to have a lot of activity over the next four years, and so I intend to be at the forefront of this, maybe not as a legislator, but certainly as an engaged citizen with a lot of history of involvement.” “

He also told colleagues in late 2016 that he wanted to take some time out in retirement to continue working on a book about his life, which a filmmaker relative of his was planning to turn into a movie.

“I won’t say much about it,” he said. “You can pay the money and see it when it’s finished.”

“The Honorable Representative Gloria Fox has blazed a path that has fostered a generation of leadership. She inspired young girls like me to lead and have the courage to show up in spaces that weren’t built for me,” said Roxbury Senator Liz Miranda. Representative Fox was a tireless advocate for our communities, championing criminal justice reform, child welfare, voting rights, and support for the most marginalized. He was a fierce advocate for improving people’s quality of life, he was Black, he was proud, and he never left his community members behind. I watched him fight in high school to turn New Dudley Street into Malcolm ” he said.

“Gloria Fox was a pioneer and tireless advocate for our communities. Her legacy of service and commitment to justice and equality left an indelible mark. We honor her memory and “We strive to continue their work to build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.”

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, his family described Rep. Fox as “a fierce advocate and defender of Roxbury, social justice, foster care, and anti-racism measures.”

“Gloria mobilized all of her efforts to serve the community and her family. Gloria was devoted to family, finding her late brother whom she had lost in the foster system. In her final moments, she was surrounded by her family. She leaves behind two sons, Joseph D. Fox of Boston, MA, Jr. and Durrell J. Fox of Atlanta, Ga., his eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous immediate and extended family members.”

Arrangements for Rep. Fox’s funeral will be made through Davis Funeral Homes of Roxbury and efforts are still ongoing.

State House News Service content contributed to this article.