She had been battling acute myeloid leukemia since early 2006, and today the District mourns the loss of Effi Barry, ex-wife of former mayor and D.C. Council member Marion Barry. Barry died overnight at the age of 63 in an Annapolis hospital.

After going into a brief remission last summer, Barry later suffered a recurrence and had hoped to receive a bone marrow transplant from her mother, but medical tests revealed a previously-undiagnosed condition that prevented the transplant. Another matching donor was not available. In the last year Barry had become an activist in urging more blacks to list themselves on the bone marrow transplant registry.

Effi Barry was married to Marion Barry for fourteen years until 1993, though the couple separated after the conclusion of his trial in 1990, in the wake of his famous videotaped drug bust. In 1992 she gave a famous interview to Ebony magazine recounting the painful experience of standing by Barry through his drug trial. She had since continued to support her ex-husband’s career, however, including his campaign for Ward 8 D.C. Council member in 2004.

Mayor Fenty will reportedly order municipal flags at half-staff. Marion Barry, who was in Memphis, Tenn. at the time of Effi’s death, has yet to release a statement. Effi Barry is survived by her son with Marion Barry, Christopher.

Photo from WTOP