On Friday, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) made a tragic announcement that his wife of 35 years, Rhonda Massie, passed away suddenly at the young age of 51.

“Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest kindest woman I ever knew, my beautiful and wise queen forever, Rhonda went to Heaven. Thank you for your prayers for our family in this difficult time.”

“She was valedictorian at our high school where we went to the Prom together, accepted at MIT and Harvard, earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from MIT, and devoted her life to our family,” the Kentucky representative wrote about his wife. “We spent last week touring Mt Rainier with our grandson – she was the best mammaw ever! We love you Rhonda.”

Condolences to the Massie family quickly rolled in, and Rep. Andy Barr wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Rhonda Massie, the beloved wife of my friend and colleague, Thomas Massie. Rhonda’s warmth, kindness, and dedication to her family and community touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. During this heartbreaking time, my thoughts and prayers are with Thomas, their four children, and the entire Massie family.”

Rhonda Massie’s cause of death was not immediately made available.