Indiana Insurance Commissioner Carol Cutter passed away Sept. 6 in Indianapolis after a months-long struggle with illness. She was 67.

Cutter had been on leave from the department late last year. She became commissioner last year after her predecessor, Jim Atterholt, moved to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

Under Atterholt, Cutter was deputy commissioner for health insurance. Prior to her stint in state government, Cutter was an insurance agent for decades.

According to an online obituary posted by Cutter’s family, the Indiana Health Underwriters Association annually presents an award in Cutter's honor: The Carol Cutter Legislative Excellence Award.

Rob Hillman, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana, remembered Cutter fondly during the IBJ Health Care Power Breakfast on Sept. 10.

“The insurance industry this week lost a real icon in our business,” he said, “a person who was a tremendous mentor for many, a friend to many more, a fair-minded regulator and a very consumer-oriented advocate for rights of consumers in the insurance industry here in the state of Indiana.”

Funeral services were held Friday at Friedens United Church of Christ in Indianapolis.

Gov. Mitch Daniels has yet to name a replacement for Cutter. In June, however, deputy commissioner Steve Robertson was named executive director of the department.