Senator Durbin’s daughter has died.
Christine Durbin, the oldest daughter of Sen. Dick Durbin and his wife, Loretta, died Saturday of complications from a congenital heart condition in a Washington-area hospital, the senator’s Washington office announced.
Christine Durbin was one of three children in the Illinois senator’s family and had worked for 16 years in the Department of Agriculture’s emerging markets division in Washington. Christine Durbin also is survived by a brother, Paul; a sister, Jennifer; her husband, Marty Johnson; and a son, Alex.
“Chris Durbin, 40, fought a heroic, lifelong battle with heart disease and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Durbin family,” the senator’s office said in a statement.
Her death comes days before Durbin, who ranks second in the Senate Democratic leadership, seeks re-election Tuesday. Durbin’s office said funeral arrangements were pending.
Just awful. I don’t have kids, but I can’t imagine being in a position where I outlived my child. Condolences to Senator Durbin and family.