Sen. Reed reflects on Pell's passing

NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) - As Rhode Island mourned the passing of former Sen. Claiborne Pell, 90, the man who took his spot in the U.S. Senate reflected on his relationship with the Senator.

Sen. Jack Reed won the seat left vacant when Sen. Pell retired in 1997.

Pell served 36 years in the Senate, and was known for his dedication to education.

However, Reed said it was Pell's family behind the scenes who helped him make a difference. (To read statements from other RI politicians on Sen. Pell's death, click here)

"Not just for those who are well-off, but more particularly for those who needed help. And, he did it so consistently and so well and all of that was aided by his wife, Nuala, and his whole family," Reed said.

Sister Therese Antone, President of Salve Regina University, agreed with Sen. Reed's assessment.

"[Nuala's] a woman who many of us admire very, very much in terms how she has been the woman behind the scenes supporting the Senator and all of his work," Antone said.

When asked about how Pell's family was handling his passing, Reed said, "I spoke with Mrs. pell and I spoke with Toby. They're coping with a very major loss in their family, and the greater family of Rhode Island. They're remarkably decent and strong people."

According to Antone, Mrs. Pell said her husband died very peacefully in their Newport home, surrounded by family.