LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Lois Tarkanian, wife of famed UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian and a local philanthropist and politician, has died.

Tarkanian was elected to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents in 2020, representing District 2. Tarkanian was previously an educator, as a classroom teacher, speech therapist and administrator, and served on the Clark County School District Board of Education for 12 years. .

Tarkanian co-founded the Public Education Foundation and served on numerous boards across the state focused on education and children.

In 2006, Tarkanian Middle School was opened and named in her honor.

Tarkanian also previously served on the Las Vegas City Council. Mayor Carolyn Goodman released a statement after her death:

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