Former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell died Wednesday after a brief illness at age 78. She healed the state after corruption scandals that rocked the state Capitol.

Former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who took over the office to become the second female governor in state history after her predecessor resigned amid a corruption scandal, has died. She was 78.

She was lieutenant governor when her boss, Gov. John G. Rowland, resigned in a corruption scandal. The second woman to lead the state, she was later elected in her own right.