PORTLAND – Helen W. Longley, wife of Maine’s first independent governor, died Tuesday following a brief illness, according to her son. She was 83.

Born Helen Angela Walsh in Springfield, Ohio, Mrs. Longley died surrounded by family and friends at Mercy Hospital, where she had volunteered years earlier.

Army Air Corps cadet James Longley met her while serving at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1943. They were married six years later in Ohio, and moved to Lewiston, Maine, where James Longley launched an insurance business.

Mrs. Longley supported her husband’s political aspirations but stayed largely behind the scenes after he surprised the political establishment by being elected governor as an independent. He served from 1975 to 1979.

While living in the governor’s mansion, Longley was supportive of the Special Olympics. She also was a volunteer for 35 years for various local organizations, including Mercy Hospital and Maine Medical Center in Portland, and Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

Several of the couple’s children followed their father’s footsteps into politics.

James Longley served as a Republican congressman in southern Maine; Susan Longley was a state senator and delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday morning at Holy Martyrs Church in Falmouth.