Ramona Hahn, Matriarch of L.A. Political Family, Dies at 86

Ramona Hahn, the mother of Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn and former Mayor James Hahn and the wife of late longtime Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn,has died. She was 86.

She died Monday morning, the day before a runoff election in which Janice will vie to represent the 36th Congressional District. Janice and James said in a joint statement that they were "devastated to announce the death of our mother."

Hahn's campaign expressed its condolences and vowed to press on.

"We understand that Janice needs to be with her family, but the campaign will move forward—as her mother would have wanted.   Ramona was very proud of and always supportive of Janice. She was looking forward to seeing her daughter sworn in as the next congresswoman of the 36th District. We will work very hard to make that dream a reality," senior campaign adviser John Shallman said in a statement.

Ramona Hahn was born Oct. 5, 1924, in Tokyo where her parents were missionaries. She lived in Japan until age 11 and after moving to the U.S. attended Pepperdine University where she met Kenneth. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and most recently attended the Church of Christ in Redondo Beach.

While Kenneth Hahn served as a county supervisor for 40 years from 1952 to 1992, his wife ran the household, held the family together and until her death "continued to be the heart and soul of the Hahn family," her children said in a statement.

"Our parents were a team, working together to raise their family and to improve the lives of those Kenny represented. We have fond memories of our mother welcoming constituents into our home on Saturdays, sitting with them and our father, working to address their problems. It was this constant concern for others that inspired both of us to pursue public service—for which she was constantly supportive. We know our parents are happy to be reunited in heaven," Janice and James said.

John Burton, head of the Democratic Party in California, extended his condolences to the Hahn family.

"Ramona and her family made positive contributions to civic life in Los Angeles and beyond," Burton said. "It is truly tragic that she came to pass less than a day before [Tuesday's] congressional special election and will not see her daughter Janice elected to the U.S. House of Representatives."

Ramona Hahn was preceded in death by Kenneth, who died in 1997, and her sister, Jean. She is survived by her son and daughter, five brothers, five grandchildren and five great-granchildren.

Funeral services are pending.