Former Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, who led the state during a period of political turmoil and enacted ethics reforms, has passed away at age 78. Rell died in a Florida hospital after a brief illness. She was from Brookfield and represented it in the State House before ultimately becoming Governor in 2004 following the resignation of John Rowland (ROLL-and). She was then elected to a full term in 2006. Known for her bipartisan leadership, Rell championed health care expansions, child care, and ethics laws, and signed the nation’s first civil union law in 2005. State flags in Connecticut have been ordered to fly at half-staff in her honor. Funeral arrangements are pending.