PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The United States mourned the loss of 39th President Jimmy Carter after his death on Dec. 29. A Central Falls native who worked closely with the former president took the time to remember the legacy Carter left behind. “I will say, there’s nobody who modeled more integrity in that office, and ethics, than that man,” former aide Margaret McKenna said. Carter died at 100 years old surrounded by friends and family at his Plains, Georgia home. McKenna worked closely with Carter as one of his aides in the White House. “His accomplishments, you can hold him up to anybody,” she said. “Energy, conservation, what he did with judges, what he did for democracy.” McKenna added that she never had a doubt that Carter always strived for the betterment of the country. “He was determined always to do the right, best thing for the American people,” she said. The former president made a few stops in Rhode Island throughout his career. The Associated Press reported that, in 1976, Carter came to Warwick for the Memorial Day parade just before the primary election. His daughter Amy also briefly attended Brown University, and Carter toured the campus with her, alongside his wife Rosalynn. McKenna said that Carter’s connection with his wife played important role in the president becoming a champion for women’s rights. “He was the first president that created domestic safe houses for women,” she said. “Title IX was Jimmy Carter.” President Joe Biden announced that Jan. 9 will be a national day of mourning, with a state funeral to be held at the National Cathedral in Washington. Categories: News, Rhode Island