Devastated By News: Watson Coleman Mourns Death Of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver

PRINCETON, NJ — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman condoled the death of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who died Tuesday.

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.

“I am devastated by the news of the passing of our Lieutenant Governor, my dear friend, Sheila Oliver,” Watson Coleman said in a statement.

“I’ve been blessed to know and work with Sheila for many decades, dating back to my time in the Executive Branch and her work with the Newark Coalition for Low Income Housing. She was a fierce advocate for the economically disadvantaged, for equal opportunities, and was one of the finest examples of a public servant our State has seen.”

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.

“Her legacy goes beyond her leadership as Lieutenant Governorship, her Speakership, or her role as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. Her greatest legacy exists in the communities she fought for, her instrumental role in raising the state’s minimum wage, the women’s health services she championed to fund, and the affordable housing she advocated for,” Watson Coleman said.

“Generations of New Jerseyans will benefit from her humanity and lifetime of public service. Sheila and her family will be in my prayers.” 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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