D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s sister dies from complications of COVID-19

By Tonya Pendleton

·February 24, 2021

Mayor Muriel Bowser, District officials, and federal partners hold a public safety briefing on preparations for the upcoming 59th Presidential Inauguration, on January 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. In an effort to prevent violence during President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration Bowser is discouraging the public from coming to the event and largely blocking off access to the streets around the Capitol. (Photo by Bill O'Leary - Pool/Getty Images)

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced sad family news today. She revealed via her Twitter account today that her 64-year-old sister Mercia Bowser has passed from the COVID-19 virus.

Mercia Bowser, sister of D.C. mayor, devoted her life to working with children (Credit: Bowser)

“My family and I are mourning the loss of my sister, Mercia Bowser, who passed away this morning due to complications related to COVID-19. Mercia was loved immensely and will be missed greatly, as she joins the legion of angels who have gone home too soon due to the pandemic.”

My family and I are mourning the loss of my sister, Mercia Bowser, who passed away this morning due to complications related to COVID-19. Mercia was loved immensely and will be missed greatly, as she joins the legion of angels who have gone home too soon due to the pandemic.
— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) February 24, 2021

According to The Washington Post, Mercia was the oldest of the Bowser siblings who grew up in Washington, D.C. She and Muriel were the family’s only two daughters. Mercia was a graduate of Fisk University, who spent her lifetime working with children, those with mental health disorders, and the elderly via the D.C. Office on Aging and Catholic Charities, the Post reported. Both sisters followed their father, Joe Bowser, into a life of service, the outlet said.

We’re grateful to the doctors & nurses at Washington Hospital Center, who heroically treated her for COVID19 related pneumonia

We thank you for your kindness & will share how our family will honor Mercia, my only sister & oldest sibling, & her beautiful spirit in the coming days
— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) February 24, 2021

Bowser, 48, Washington, D.C.’s mayor since 2015, and her family join the hundreds of thousands of Americans mourning family members lost to the virus since it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11 last year.

Earlier today, Muriel confirmed 1,000 lives lost to the COVID-19 virus in the District alone. The first case in the District was recorded on March 7, per the Post. The neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia have reported fatalities of more than 7500 people.

Mayor Muriel Bowser on January 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bill O’Leary – Pool/Getty Images)

Bowser announced today as a day of remembrance in the nation’s capital, asking the city’s religious institutions to pay tribute to the lives lost. She also asked that flags on city property fly at half-mast the rest of the week to honor the nationwide total that now sits at over half a million people.

“These beautiful souls who passed were grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins, neighbors, classmates, colleagues, friends and loved ones,” Bowser said at a press conference. “Today, we pray for the lives lost and send our love to every person and family impacted by this virus and commit ourselves to continuing to work together.”

Have you subscribed to theGrio’s podcast “Dear Culture”? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!