True Public Servant: East Brunswick Mayor Mourns Passing Of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen condoled the death of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, calling her a "true public servant."

Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly and later as the lieutenant governor, died Tuesday after being hospitalized. She was 71.

"On behalf of the Township of East Brunswick, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Lt. Governor. Sheila Oliver, on her passing. Ms. Oliver was a true public servant who dedicated her entire career to the betterment of all New Jerseyans," Cohen said in a statement.

"The Lt. Gov. was a good friend of East Brunswick and was extremely helpful in providing support for many projects, grants, and initiatives that helped the residents of our community. This ranged from road/highway grants, grants to the East Brunswick Public Library, Community Program Grants, and grants for the Arts. I am sure that we join with all our neighboring communities throughout the state in recognizing the tremendous loss of New Jersey’s second Lt. Governor., the Honorable Sheila Oliver – a kind and gentle public servant."

Oliver was born and raised in Newark, and called East Orange home for more than 40 years, Murphy's office said. In 2017, Oliver also became the first Black woman elected to serve as Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, and the first woman of color elected to statewide office in New Jersey. More: Essex County Native Sheila Oliver Dies; NJ 'Hero' Had Deep Local Roots

The Essex County Democrat, who was acting as governor while Phil Murphy is on a family vacation in Italy, was hospitalized on Monday for an undisclosed cause, according to officials.

Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy left New Jersey on Friday, July 28, and are scheduled to return Sunday, Aug. 13, his office said.

Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union Co.) assumed the role of acting governor on Monday, after Oliver was hospitalized. More: Lt. Gov. Hospitalized, Senate President Named Acting NJ Governor

Murphy said he, his wife Tammy, and their children "are incredibly saddened and distraught" in a statement Tuesday. Murphy said selecting Oliver as his running mate in 2017 was "the best decision I ever made."

"She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color," Murphy said. "Beyond all of that, she was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable."

Oliver’s death was announced on Tuesday in a statement from her family members. Read More: New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver Dies, Family Announces

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