I was shocked an saddened to learn that Anne Richards passed away yesterday. The former Texas governor accomplished a great many things in her 74 years with us, including breaking a 50 year dry spell for women in Texas state politics, but I remember her most for her razor sharp wit.

An oft quoted line was uttered to Larry King in response to Texas redistricting:

"Well Larry, I could drive down Interstate 35 with both my car doors open and be in three different congressional districts at one time."

The above linked article says more about her life and accomplishments than I can. But on a personal note, I regret missing two opportunities to meet her in person. The closest I came was through indieWIRE's Brian Brooks who snapped a wonderful shot of her (5th pic down) at the Texas Hall of Fame ceremony at SXSW 2005.

I would wish Anne a peaceful afterlife but I have no doubt that wherever she is, peaceful she is not and she wouldn't have it any other way.