The family of Barbara Daly Danko released a letter Friday written by the County Councilwoman to her District 11 constituents not long before her death.
Danko died Wednesday at age 61 after a 10-year battle with breast cancer. Working with and for Allegheny County was "an honor and a privilege," she said.
“When I had to make a decision about whether to run again or not, I genuinely believed that I would at least be able to serve a couple of years in a new term," she wrote. "Whether it was the energy required to run a campaign, or whether it was simply the cancer finally taking its toll, my health has taken a downward spiral over the last few months. The fact that this statement is being distributed means that my goal of continuing to live and serve the community while being a cancer survivor has ended."
County Council has 30 days to name an interim member of the same party to fill Danko’s seat.
Danko’s name will remain on the May 19 primary ballot along with fellow Democrat Caroline Mitchell. Should Danko win, the Democratic Committee will elect someone to run in her place. With no Republicans in the primary race, the winner of the Democratic primary will likely take office in January.
“I hope that they [the committee] will carefully consider all interested candidates," Danko wrote, "and support someone who will study the issues and always vote based on the best interests of the citizens of Allegheny County."
Danko was an outspoken opponent of fracking on county lands and often disagreed with members of her own party. Still, that friction never caused personal rifts between her and fellow councilmembers, she said.
She ended her letter: “Until the day when we will all meet again. Barbara Daly Danko.”
The 61-year old is survived by her husband, George Danko, and her children, Michael, Elizabeth, Stephen and Joseph.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at McCabe Brothers funeral home in Shadyside. The funeral is at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Bede Church in Point Breeze.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Carnegie Library of Homewood or the Carnegie Library of Homestead
