Flores died of complications from a myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood disorder, said her grandson, Trevor Davis.
The first woman to represent District 15, which comprises the L.A. Harbor and residential and commercial neighborhoods, Flores was known for her loyalty to her district and her push to make city government more transparent.
She navigated a City Council viewed as a “boy’s club,” using canniness and persuasion, rather than shouting or arm-twisting, to get what she wanted. She was a stately woman, a quiet and powerful presence on the council.
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“When she raised her microphone to speak, I always wanted to listen,” said longtime politician Gloria Molina, who served on the council alongside Flores. “She was very clear and to the point.”