Who Was Setti Warren’s Wife? Inside Personal Life of Former Newton Mayor Who Died at 55

Setti Warren, the Director of the Harvard Institute of Politics and the first African American mayor of Newton, Massachusetts, passed away suddenly at his home on Sunday, November 2, 2025. He was 55. While the cause of his death has not been disclosed, multiple reports described his passing as unexpected.

Remembered as a Visionary and Mentor

In a joint statement, Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy M. Weinstein and Harvard College Dean David J. Deming paid tribute to Warren, calling him a “visionary,” “tireless leader,” and “a pillar” of the Harvard community.

“He will be remembered at Harvard by the many students he helped to teach, nurture, and mentor. Setti’s students loved him, and their impact, like his, will reverberate for generations to come. Our hearts go out to Setti’s wife Tassy, children Abigail and John, and all those who knew and loved him,” they stated.

A Distinguished Public Career

Warren served as Newton’s mayor, breaking racial barriers in local leadership, and had led the Harvard Institute of Politics since 2022. His tenure was marked by a deep commitment to public service, education, and mentorship.

Family and Early Life

Born in 1970 alongside his twin sister, Makeda, Setti Warren was the son of Joseph D. Warren, a professor of African-American studies at Northeastern University, and Elidia Warren, a social worker. He also had a younger sister, Kara, who died in 2005 at the age of 27 due to complications from chronic asthma.

At the time of his sister’s passing, Setti’s father shared that Elizabeth Tasker “Tassy” Plummer, then his son’s fiancée, stood by him through the loss. Joseph Warren described Plummer as Setti’s “chief confidante,” noting that they were an “excellent” couple.

Marriage and Personal Life

Setti and Tassy married in August 2006 and had two children: daughter Abigail and son John. Tassy Warren has worked for nearly two decades at Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child.

The two first met at the Drake Hotel in Chicago while both were involved in Senator John Kerry’s presidential campaign. According to a 2010 report by Wicked Local, they bonded over their shared upbringing in Newton. Senator Kerry, who recalled meeting Barack Obama that same day, later served as a groomsman at their wedding. He and his wife, Teresa Heinz, are godparents to Abigail.

Joseph Warren once remarked that while his son was always “serious” from a young age, he was “smiling and kind of giddy” around Tassy—something that stood out to those who knew him.

Memorial Details

As of this writing, the time and location of Setti Warren’s memorial service have not been announced. His passing leaves a profound void in both Harvard and Newton, where his leadership, warmth, and dedication continue to be deeply admired.

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