Jackalyn Laxalt, ex-Nevada first lady

RENO -- Jackalyn Laxalt, the former wife of Paul Laxalt, who served as a US senator, governor, and lieutenant governor from Nevada, died Saturday, her family said. She was 77.

She had been undergoing treatment for respiratory problems.

As the state's first lady from 1966 to 1970, Mrs. Laxalt oversaw the refurbishing and remodeling of the governor's mansion.

With their six children, the Laxalts were the largest family to occupy the mansion.

After Paul Laxalt married her, he practiced law with her father and began his career as one of the state's most popular elected officials by winning his first statewide race, for lieutenant governor, in 1962.

After her marriage of 25 years ended in divorce in 1972, Laxalt moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where she overcame alcoholism.

She then spent many years in Arizona and Nevada counseling others with substance abuse problems, her family said.