It was a celebration of life as over 2,000 people gathered in downtown Rochester on Friday to honor the late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.  

“We just all respect her and want to be here and want to celebrate her life,” said Mary Jane Link of Rochester. 

It was a goodbye filled with classical hymns as Congresswoman Slaughter was a lover of the arts. Some began to line up as early as 5 a.m. for the funeral service at Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre. Prior to her death, Louise Slaughter was the oldest sitting member of Congress. She has represented the Rochester area for more than three decades. 

“She was a matriarch and set the precedents for many women here and so I would be remiss if I didn’t come today to acknowledge all the work that she's done in the Rochester area,” said Charlene Knight of Rochester. 

“We owe her not just a tribute but a debt and I think that her memory for me at least will last a very long time,” said former campaign volunteer, Connie Walker. 

During the funeral, the congresswoman's daughter Amy Slaughter thanked the community for their support and added that the family finds comfort in seeing how much Louise Slaughter was loved. 

"Hearing all of the stories about mom from friends, coworkers, constituents, and people she just met in Wegmans, I'm certain that she will be remembered as the amazing woman she was,” said Amy Slaughter. 

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Robert Slaughter.

She is survived by her three daughters, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.