Gov. Daugaard Orders State Capitol Flags At Half-Staff For Milbank Native

PIERRE, S.D. – Former state legislator Mary McClure Bibby of Brookings passed away on July 2, 2016.

McClure, 77, was a native of Milbank and an alumna of the University of South Dakota, where she received the Fulbright Scholarship. She became a teacher and settled in Redfield. McClure served in the State Senate from 1975 – 1989, representing Redfield and the surrounding area.

McClure was the first woman in South Dakota history to hold a top leadership position in the State Legislature, serving from 1979 – 1989 as president pro tempore of the Senate. She also served as national chair of the Council of State Governments, and as chair of the Legislative Research Council Executive Board.

McClure resigned from the State Senate in 1989 to accept an appointment from President George H. W. Bush as special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs.

Following her legislative service, McClure married former state Sen. John Bibby, who had been a colleague in the State Legislature.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has ordered flags to fly half-staff at the State Capitol on Saturday, Aug. 6, the day of McClure Bibby’s funeral.