Tuesday, July 8, 2014
![](https://philanthropynewyork.org/sites/default/files/claire_tow.jpg)
Claire Tow, who founded The Tow Foundation with her husband, Leonard, in 1988, died Monday at age 83, following a 14-year struggle with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).
She and her husband also founded the cable television company Century Communications Corporation and the cellular telephone company Centennial Cellular Corporation. She served as a director and active executive of both companies.
In a statement from the Tow family, Mrs. Tow was acknowledged for the work she did to help "alleviate pain and suffering for countless individuals. Claire guided the family’s philanthropy to address the needs of the disadvantaged, medical research, treatment and care, the cultural arts, and higher education."