Jamaal Bowman’s mother dies of COVID-19: ‘I share her legacy with all of you’

Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s (D-N.Y.) mother died this week from COVID-19, the first-term lawmaker shared on Tuesday.

“It is with deep sorrow that I share the passing of our mother, Ms. Pauline Bowman. She battled Covid for many weeks before transitioning on Valentine’s Day,” Bowman tweeted Tuesday.

“Our mother raised us to live our lives with love and joy with and for each other. I share her legacy with all of you,” he added alongside a photo of his mother. 

It is with deep sorrow that I share the passing of our mother, Ms. Pauline Bowman. She battled Covid for many weeks before transitioning on Valentine’s Day.

Our mother raised us to live our lives with love and joy with and for each other. I share her legacy with all of you. pic.twitter.com/FseecD3v9r

— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) February 16, 2021

A slate of fellow lawmakers, organizations and others shared their condolences on Twitter.

I am so sorry for your loss.

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) February 16, 2021

No, no! I am so sorry JB. Losing a parent is so hard. Sending you love and strength. I am here for you.

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) February 16, 2021

Rest In Power, Ms. Bowman.

Our deepest condolences and our deepest love to Jamaal and his entire family. https://t.co/15BqnTFNI8

— Justice Democrats (@justicedems) February 16, 2021

My condolences to you and your family, Congressman. This is heartbreaking.

— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) February 16, 2021

Bowman, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020, said on his campaign website that he “didn’t have much growing up, but his mother provided him all that he needed: love, a stable family, and a sense of community.”

Bowman is not the first lawmaker to lose a loved one to COVID-19 amid the ongoing pandemic. Rep. Maxine Water’s (D-Calif.) sister died of complications from the virus, in addition to Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) eldest brother. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) father also died of the coronavirus.

The U.S. has reported more than 486,754 coronavirus fatalities since March.