Former Gov. M. Jodi Rell remembered as a kind leader who 'healed' Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Alvin and Nancy Ravizza had only met former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell once, years ago at a Christmas tour of her official residence, but they decided to join the stream of other state residents, dignitaries and state Capitol insiders who paid tribute to the late Republican on Tuesday.

The couple from Berlin last visited the Capitol building when former Democratic Gov. Ella Grasso also lay in state in 1981. They said they still appreciate how Rell took control of Connecticut in 2004 after her predecessor resigned amid a corruption scandal that had rocked the state.

“She healed our state, being governor,” Nancy Ravizza said. “That’s my memory of her.”

“Truly a good woman," Alvin Ravizza said. "That's why we're here."

The state's second female governor — Grasso was the first — Rell served from 2004 to 2011. She previously served as a state representative and then as lieutenant governor from 1995 to 2004, at which point her running mate former Gov. John G. Rowland left office amid a federal investigation and possible impeachment. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a single federal corruption count and served 10 months in prison.

Days after her first swearing-in ceremony, nearly 1,000 well-wishers turned out to greet Rell at the state Capitol during an open house.

Rell, a mother of two and grandmother of four, died on Nov. 21 at a Florida hospital following a brief illness, according to her family. She was 78.

On Tuesday, Republicans and Democrats fondly remembered Rell as a special breed of politician in today's world of division and derision — a kind, compassionate person who could be stern when necessary but was willing to work with the other side of the political spectrum.

“At her core, Jodi Rell was a respectful person of integrity who wanted to do her best for the people of Connecticut, and she was willing to work with Democrats, independents and Republicans," said former state Sen. Donald Williams, a Democrat. “And that’s why we had such a great working relationship, even though we disagreed on some issues.”

“I miss that era in our politics,” he added. “And I’m hoping we can get back to that.”

In a sign of Rell's penchant for bipartisanship, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont delivered one of four eulogies during an afternoon memorial service at Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, where Rell's coffin arrived draped in a blue Connecticut state flag. Lamont said he and Rell became good friends after he took office and would appear together at the governor's residence to greet the public during the holidays.

“She had been out of office for 10, 12 years; people would greet her like they’d just seen her last week,” Lamont said. “I remember her always saying, ‘Oh, come on, just call me Jodi.’”

Former Republican Secretary of the State Pauline Kezer, who served together with Rell in the state House of Representatives, called her former colleague a “trailblazer” who took office under “tough circumstances" and successfully restored people's confidence in state government.

“She governed with calmness and firmness, which are two hard things to put together,” she said.

Democratic Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Rell also had the gift of being “relatable," someone who often talked about shopping at the discount department store Marshalls. Her German shepherd was even named Marshall.

“She’s just a person that if you saw her at the grocery store or standing in line at Marshalls that you’d want to talk to,” Bysiewicz said. “And she is somebody that everyone respected.”

Mourners pay their respects to the former Governor M. Jodi Rell as she lays in state at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP)

Members of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard pay their respects to the former Governor M. Jodi Rell as she lays in state at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP)

Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Chief Kevin Kowalski pays his respects to former Governor M. Jodi Rell as she lays in state at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP)

Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz talks with Micheal and Maura Rell after paying their respects to the former Governor M. Jodi Rell as she lays in state at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP)

FILE - Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell pauses during an interview in her office at the Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Aug. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz pay their respects to the former Governor M. Jodi Rell as she lays in state at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP)

Former Gov. M. Jodi Rell lays in state at the Connecticut State Capitol before the public is allowed to pay their respect in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — England opted to keep Ollie Pope as its stand-in wicketkeeper for the second test against New Zealand starting Thursday.

After Jordan Cox broke his thumb ahead of the series opener in Christchurch last week, Ollie Robinson was called up as wicketkeeping cover and was in contention to make his first international appearance in the second test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

However, England kept faith with the same team that won by eight wickets on the fourth afternoon of the first test at Hagley Oval, meaning Pope retained the gloves and Jacob Bethell stayed at No. 3.

Pope was solid behind the stumps and hit 77 after moving down to No. 6 in the batting order. Bethell was also impressive on his debut, hitting 50 not out in the second innings.

“They always say when you don’t notice a keeper, he’s done a good job and Ollie certainly did that," England fast bowler Chris Woakes said. "To step up at short notice like that and do the job he did was fantastic.

“For him to score runs just shows his character, putting his hand up for the team without any fuss and cracking on."

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (captain), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips is airborne as he makes his ground while England's Ollie Pope attempts a run out during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)

England's Ollie Pope bats during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)