BRUNSWICK – Charlene Rydell, a former legislator and congressional health policy adviser, died Thursday after a long battle with cancer. She was 64.

Rydell, a Democrat, served five terms in the Maine House of Representatives, where she served on the Banking and Insurance Committee and later on the Appropriations Committee.

In 1998, she joined U.S. Rep. Tom Allen’s office in Portland as an adviser on health care and social issues. She was part of Gov. John Baldacci’s core group that developed his Dirigo Health initiative in 2002 and 2003.

“Today, Maine lost a national treasure. Charlene Rydell dedicated her life to helping people less fortunate than herself,” said Baldacci, who served with her in the Legislature.

Rydell’s family plans to establish a fund in her name at the Maine Community Foundation to develop and promote public policy to increase access to health care and promote equal justice for Maine residents, the governor noted.

“This is just like Charlene. Right until her dying day she was thinking about how to make life better for Maine citizens, establishing this fund with her family,” he said.

Rydell is survived by her husband, Lars, of Brunswick; her son, Dr. David Rydell of Bangor; her sister, Judi Becker, of Dover, N.H.; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned at the Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick on Sunday.