Emily Couric, 54; Virginia State Senator

Emily Couric, a senator in Virginia who was co-chairman of the state’s Democratic Party, died Thursday of pancreatic cancer at her home in Charlottesville. She was 54.

Couric, the older sister of Katie Couric, co-host of NBC’s “Today” show, was considering seeking the Democratic nomination for Virginia lieutenant governor when she was diagnosed with cancer in July 2000.

Beginning an aggressive treatment regimen, she halted her exploratory campaign but was nonetheless elected general chairwoman of the state’s Democratic Party.

A strong advocate for public education and health care issues throughout her career in public service, Couric pushed through legislation that made Virginia the first state to require insurance firms to pay for colon cancer screening. The issue hit close to home when Katie Couric’s husband, Jay Monahan, died of that disease in January 1998 at age 42.

Emily Couric also successfully championed legislation supporting research and rehabilitation for victims of spinal trauma.

Born in Atlanta, the Couric sisters moved to Virginia with their family in the early 1950s. Emily graduated from high school in Arlington and earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith College.

She had a varied employment history, working as a public information officer and speech writer for the federal government, a newspaper reporter, a newsletter editor and a high school biology teacher.

After she moved to Charlottesville in 1981, her interest turned to politics during her six years on the city school board, an appointed position steeped in community affairs.

In the state Senate, Couric gained the respect and admiration of her colleagues. She served as the party’s chief spokeswoman and fund-raiser.

“She was the unifier. She could bring all the various parts of this disparate Democratic family together,” said Mark Warner, the party’s nominee for governor.

In addition to Katie, Emily is survived by her husband of 20 years, Dr. George A. Beller; two sons, Dr. Ray Wadlow of Philadelphia and Jeff Wadlow of Los Angeles; and stepchildren Michael, Amy and Leslie Beller. She is also survived by her parents, Elinor and John M. Couric of Arlington, and siblings Clara Couric Batchelor and John M. Couric Jr.