STORM2K

State senator found unconscious in office

Associated Press
Mar. 9, 2006 02:35 PM


A state senator from Maricopa County has been taken to a Phoenix hospital after being found unconscious in her legislative office.

Republican Sen. Marilyn Jarrett's assistant summoned paramedics when she couldn't wake up the 67-year-old Mesa Republican after a lunchtime nap.

A fellow legislator who is a physician says Jarrett was unconscious and breathing irregularly when attended to her before the paramedics arrived.


The Senate reconvened for its afternoon floor session but promptly adjourned until Monday after Senate President Ken Bennett said a prayer for Jarrett.

Jarrett has served in the Legislature since 1995, first in the House but the last four a-half years in the Senate,

State Sen. Marilyn Jarrett was rushed to a hospital Thursday after suffering a possible stroke in her office at the Legislature.

Jarrett, 67, of Mesa, was breathing but was not conscious about 2 p.m. when paramedics transported her from the Senate to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

A hospital spokeswoman said the Mesa Republican was in critical condition but had no information on a diagnosis. House Speaker Jim Weiers gave his members an update on Jarrett's condition about 7 p.m. before leading them in a prayer for her well-being.

"It doesn't look good," said Weiers, R-Phoenix. "She is now on a respirator. She is still in the emergency room and still unconscious."

Sen. Robert Cannell, a pediatrician, helped render first aid to Jarrett before paramedics arrived.

He said he suspects that Jarrett had suffered a stroke or some other kind of seizure.

Jarrett was taking a nap in her office after lunch when her assistant, Connie Dow, noticed that her breathing did not sound normal.

"It's serious," said Cannell, D-Yuma. "I was called by her assistant, who had already called 911 because she was unable to wake her.

"We stabilized her breathing, but she never responded in any way."

Cannell praised Dow for her awareness and quick thinking.

Jarrett has served in the Senate since 2001, when she was appointed to replace Sen. Rusty Bowers, who had resigned. She was elected to the House in 1995. She has served as majority whip in both chambers and is currently the Senate president pro tem.

Although she was not yet term-limited, Jarrett was not running for re-election. Instead, she is a candidate for a justice of the peace seat in Mesa.

Jarrett and her husband, Howard, have five children and 14 grandchildren.

Senate President Ken Bennett led senators in a prayer for their colleague and then adjourned the Senate until Monday.

Several of her colleagues and friends had gathered at the hospital early Thursday evening to await word of her condition.

State Sen. Jarrett dies after collapsing in office

The Arizona Republic
Mar. 10, 2006 08:02 AM


State Sen. Marilyn Jarrett has died after suffering a possible stroke in her office at the Legislature on Thursday, 12 News reported on Friday.

Jarrett, 67, of Mesa, was breathing but was not conscious about 2 p.m. when paramedics transported her from the Senate to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, where she was described as being in critical condition Thursday night.

House Speaker Jim Weiers gave his members an update on Jarrett's condition about 7 p.m. before leading them in a prayer for her well-being.


Sen. Robert Cannell, a pediatrician, helped render first aid to Jarrett before paramedics arrived. He said he suspected that Jarrett had suffered a stroke or some other kind of seizure.

Jarrett was taking a nap in her office after lunch when her assistant, Connie Dow, noticed that her breathing did not sound normal.

Cannell praised Dow for her awareness and quick thinking.

Jarrett has served in the Senate since 2001, when she was appointed to replace Sen. Rusty Bowers, who had resigned. She was elected to the House in 1995. She has served as majority whip in both chambers and is currently the Senate president pro tem.

Although she was not yet term-limited, Jarrett was not running for re-election. Instead, she was a candidate for a justice of the peace seat in Mesa.

Jarrett and her husband, Howard, have five children and 14 grandchildren.

Senate President Ken Bennett led senators in a prayer for their colleague and then adjourned the Senate until Monday.

How sad.

yes, she was a pretty nice lady......

i dont think i want to go like that, on the floor of my office.....