FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Dr. Lois Tarkanian, an education pioneer and widow of famed Fresno State men’s basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, has died.

On Monday, the University of Nevada announced Lois’ death in an X-post, writing that her “kindness, strength and unwavering support touched everyone who knew her.”

During her time in education, Lois worked as a teacher, speech therapist, and administrator before serving on a Las Vegas school board for fourteen years.

She was last elected to the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents in 2020.

Lois has made great strides in making California’s education more inclusive, including establishing the state’s first private day school for deaf children.

She is also said to be the co-founder of The Public Education Foundation, an organization that provides free and low-cost supplies to teachers in Las Vegas.

Lois also served on the Las Vegas City Council for 14 years, including a term as Mayor Pro Tem.

Her husband, a famed basketball coach who managed both the UNLV and Fresno State teams during his career, died in 2015.

She is survived by her four children.