As St. Louis Park's first woman mayor and a two-term state senator, Phyllis McQuaid developed a reputation for a political style focused on building community.
One of McQuaid's successors as St. Louis Park mayor, Jeff Jacobs, said McQuaid was part of setting the tone in the city that has become known for its often-progressive way, with an approach to governing that strives to include everyone.
"Give me an entire Legislature full of Phyllis McQuaids and we could solve any problem on Earth," Jacobs said. "It's just a shame we don't have more politicians like her."
McQuaid died June 7 in Roseville. She was 95.
Daughters Meredith McQuaid and Joanie Hinderaker said their mother didn't think of herself as a politician at all. Her political career began only after raising her eight children as a stay-at-home mother and active member of parent-teacher associations.
"She often said raising eight children was the best training for politics," Meredith McQuaid said. "Because you have to help people get along."
Phyllis McQuaid decided to run for school board in 1974 to oppose school closings. Meredith McQuaid said her mother valued the neighborhood school as a community gathering place, even though most of her own children attended Catholic school. She won her first race and launched a 15-year career in politics.
McQuaid decided to run for mayor in 1979 after she learned another local politician would be running unopposed. Though she did not differ much on policy with her opponent, Meredith McQuaid said, her hyper-personable style won the day.