(CNN) Former Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco died Sunday, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced. She was 76.

Blanco announced in 2017 that she was being treated for ocular melanoma and said in December 2018 that there was "no escape" from the incurable cancer. She entered into hospice care in April earlier this year.

Blanco passed away at a hospice center in Lafayette surrounded by her husband, children and other family members, Edwards said.

"Louisianans owe a debt of gratitude to Gov. Blanco, who always put the people of our state first, fighting to improve the quality of life for our families and children, championing better educational opportunities for all students at every level and building a stronger Louisiana," Edwards wrote on Twitter

Blanco, a Democrat, was Louisiana's first and only female governor. She was elected in 2003 after defeating Republican Bobby Jindal, and held office from 2004 to 2008.

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