Democrat Gwen Margolis, the first woman to serve as the leader of a state Senate, died. She was 85.

Margolis served 30 years in the Florida Legislature, including three different times in the Senate. She served as Senate president from 1990-1992, and was the last Democrat to lead the chamber.

"President Margolis was a wealth of historical and institutional knowledge, and like many of you, I learned so much from her," said Republican Senate President Bill Galvano in a letter to senators. "She could be fierce, yet loving, and I know those of us who served with President Margolis miss her quick wit in committee and on the Senate floor."