Local philanthropist Pamela Roe, wife of U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, died Thursday, the congressman’s office said.

Roe spokeswoman Tiffany Haverly did not reveal the cause of death, but according to The Associated Press, she died after “a brief but serious illness.”

While Mrs. Roe was active in her husband’s political campaigns and the local Republican Women’s group, she also worked hard for many other causes, most notably serving on the board of directors for the Humane Society of Washington County.

Mrs. Roe dedicated a lot of her time to the Humane Society, said David Roe, Mrs. Roe’s stepson and son of Congressman Roe. “That was a huge thing for her,” he said,  “She loved animals, and she and my dad had two dogs.”

“That was her true passion,” he added, noting that Mrs. Roe had volunteered with the Humane Society “for as long as I can remember.”

In addition to her work with the Humane Society, Mrs. Roe also had a great passion for her family.

“She and Dad enjoyed a lot of outdoor stuff together,” David Roe said. “They loved to hike, and they would take a trip to Colorado every year to go hiking.”

Mrs. Roe also enjoyed spending time with her children and two granddaughters, Kathryn, 11, and Caroline, 9, who called her “Nana”.

Family was very important to Mrs. Roe, her stepson said. “For about the last year or year-and-a-half, she worked as a caregiver for my grandmother, my dad’s mom,” David Roe said.

Through an official statement from Congressman Roe’s office, the family thanked everyone for their support and prayers during this difficult time.

“Pam was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, friend and philanthropist who will be sorely missed by every person who had the distinct privilege of knowing her,” the statement said.

That sentiment was echoed by a local Republican leader who knew Mrs. Roe well.

“It breaks my heart,” said Tennessee Republican Party Executive Committeewoman Sara Sellers. “She was so precious.”

The death of Mrs. Roe will be felt by many in East Tennessee, Sellers said, adding Mrs. Roe did a lot of work for the community.

“She was reserved and quiet, but such a loving and caring person,” Sellers said. “She loved her husband so dearly. She was just a wonderful lady.”

Mrs. Roe, who was an active member of the Republican Women’s Club, was always ready and willing to help, Sellers said.

“She was always there if we needed something,” Sellers said. “She was very dedicated, and she was a good Republican woman. I just can’t say enough about her.”

Even though Mrs. Roe had been ill for a time before her passing, Sellers said the news of Mrs. Roe’s passing still hit her hard and she was in shock. “I’m still just kind of wondering if it’s real, if she’s really gone,” Sellers said.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time.