By Nick Gale, WLS-AM nEWS

(CHICAGO)  The wife of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) has passed away.

First taking to Twitter and later releasing a letter from his office, Rush announced that he “lost my best friend, the love of my life, my confidant and my best half.”

Carolyn Rush passed away Monday morning from congestive heart failure at the age of 68. The congressman’s office say she was surrounded by family when she passed away at the University of Chicago Hospital.

In a written statement, Rush says, “this is one of the most difficult days of my life. If there is any comfort at all, it is in knowing that Carolyn is no longer suffering and that she has returned to our Father in Heaven. I will always cherish her. She was everything to me. I am devastated.”

Born May 27, 1949 in Memphis, Carolyn Rush moved to Chicago at an early age. She graduated from Hirsch High School and later graduated with high honors with a Bachelors of Art in Organizational Leadership from Roosevelt University in Chicago. In addition to her work as a community organizer, precinct captain and political strategist in many campaigns.

The couple were married for 36 years. Funeral arrangements are pending.​

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