A Diamond Jubilee medal is being awarded posthumously to the late Dorothy Kostrzewa on Feb. 7, announced Chilliwack-Hope MLA Gwen O'Mahony.
“It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Dorothy Kostrzewa. Dorothy was a remarkable person who blazed a path for women in politics," she said in a release.
The MLA contacted the former city councillor's family to express her condolences.
"I believe the entire community of Chilliwack will feel this loss."
She's also keenly aware that Kostrzewa made history as the first Chinese-Canadian to hold elected office in Canada, and held her seat for 31 years.
The community-focused Kostrzewa was chosen last year by a committee of local community members to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for "her long service to Chilliwack and groundbreaking contribution" to women in politics.
The jubilee medal will be awarded posthumously at a ceremony for the other recipients on Feb. 7, and the Kostrzewa family will be there to accept the award on Dorothy's behalf.