Kitty Dukakis Death and Obituary – Katharine “Kitty” Dukakis, the former First Lady of Massachusetts and a passionate advocate for various social causes, passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Dukakis, who was married to former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, left a lasting impact on the state through her activism, advocacy, and her courage in publicly sharing her personal struggles. Her death, which was attributed to complications from dementia, occurred in her home in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Born on December 26, 1936, Kitty Dukakis was known for her unwavering commitment to social issues, particularly mental health and addiction recovery. As First Lady of Massachusetts, she used her platform to shine a light on topics that were often stigmatized, such as mental illness, substance use disorder, and homelessness. Her advocacy work spanned several decades, during which she not only supported numerous charitable organizations but also worked on local, state, and national levels to create policies that would provide better care for those in need.
Dukakis served as the First Lady during two separate terms—first from 1975 to 1979 and later from 1983 to 1991. Her time in the public eye was marked by her devotion to her family and community, but she was also open about her personal battles, especially her struggles with depression and substance use. It was this rare transparency that made her an influential figure, as she defied the societal norms of the time by speaking out about issues that were often ignored or misunderstood. Her bravery and openness about her mental health and addiction struggles helped to reduce the stigma surrounding these topics and encouraged many others to seek help.
Dukakis’s influence extended beyond the state of Massachusetts. Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston paid tribute to her, acknowledging the enduring legacy of kindness and compassion that the Dukakis family fostered throughout the state. Wu highlighted the inspiration that Kitty Dukakis provided, noting that she and her family exemplified how to live with integrity and work toward improving the lives of others. “It was so inspiring to know that they had built a life and also were living as examples of what it meant to do right in your community,” Wu said. “To speak out and to try every day to make life a little bit better for everyone around you.”
In addition to her local impact, Steve Kerrigan, the Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, also reflected on the tremendous effect that Kitty Dukakis had on her community. Kerrigan particularly highlighted her work in advocating for refugees and the homeless. However, it was her decision to openly discuss her personal battles that made her stand out. “It was her courage in publicly sharing her struggles with depression and substance use disorder that truly defined her strength,” Kerrigan said in a statement posted on X. “Her honesty and bravery helped break down stigma, inspiring countless others to seek support and begin their own journeys of recovery.”
Kitty Dukakis’s death marks the end of an era for the Dukakis family, but her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the causes she championed. Her dedication to public service, compassion for those struggling with mental health and addiction, and her relentless pursuit of kindness will continue to inspire future generations to follow her example. Her life and work stand as a testament to the power of vulnerability, resilience, and the unyielding desire to make the world a better place.