GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Former Representative Geraldine "Gerae" Peten died on Wednesday, just one day before her 76th birthday.
Peten became was appointed to the House seat at the time vacated by former Rep. Jesus Rubalcava, D-Gila Bend, in 2017. She represented District 4, which sprawls from parts of Goodyear and Buckeye to Yuma and Tucson.
At the time Peten was sworn in, she was one of two Black representatives in the 90-member legislature. She served from 2017 until 2021.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about Peten.
"Gerea had an incredible spirit and all the class that one can carry. Best of all, she really cared about people," Fontes wrote. "I’m glad to have known her. She will be missed."
Peten was a longtime educator in Arizona: She served as a principal on the Navajo Nation, a superintendent, an administrator at multiple schools and had a doctoral degree in education from Northern Arizona University, as well as masters degrees from Arizona State University and Seton Hall University. She also ran an education consulting business.
Peten founded the West Valley NAACP in 2019 and served on the committee of political action, according to the organization website.
Peten was born in Durham, North Carolina and is survived by two sons and 10 grandchildren.
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