Former Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who steadied the state after scandals that caused the resignation of Gov. John G. Rowland, died Wednesday in Florida at age 78. Rell died in a hospital after a brief illness,

Former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell died on Wednesday after a brief illness, according to her family. They said she died at a Florida hospital. She was 78 years old.  Gov. Ned Lamont is calling for U.

BROOKFIELD — Matt Grimes, former chairman of the local school board and Republican Town Committee, became emotional upon hearing the news Wednesday morning that former governor M. Jodi Rell, a longtime Brookfield resident, died at 78 after a brief illness in Florida.