Deedee Corradini, the only female mayor in the history of Salt Lake City and a past president of Women’s Ski Jumping USA, has passed away at 70 years old.
A statement released by her family on Monday read, “Our amazing mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend and mentor, died today at her home in Park City, surrounded by the light, love and gratitude of her loved ones.”
Corradini’s death comes after a six-month battle with a non-smoking form of lung cancer.
“Deedee Corradini led the 10-year plus fight and effort to see that women ski jumping would be an event in the Olympic Winter Games,” said Whitney Childers, a spokeswoman for Women’s Ski Jumping USA. “They won that fight and women were able to compete for the first time in history a year ago in February in Sochi, Russia.”
Childers said Corradini was a force to be reckoned with.
“She was spunky and feisty and she never gave up, and she always maintained her professionalism and what she called ‘being a stateswoman,’” Childers said. “She taught these young women what it meant to look beyond themselves as athletes and to be leaders, and show what women can do, and to stand up for themselves.”
Childers knew Corradini personally, and said she had a never-give-up attitude and maintained the belief that everything is possible.
Corradini was mayor of Salt Lake City from 1992-2000. She was also president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Gov. Gary Herbert said in a statement he is saddened by her death. He lauded her work as mayor, especially in her efforts to prepare Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Those wishing to express their condolences can do so here.