Warren's 1st Female Mayor And Pioneer In NJ Local Government Has Died

WARREN, NJ — Susie B. Boyce, Warren Township's first female mayor and a pioneering figure in New Jersey local government, died on Wednesday afternoon, her daughter Nell Greenfieldboyce said.

The Township announced her death on Facebook, calling it "profound sadness" for the entire community.

Boyce first took office in 1975 and served on the Township Committee for 19 years, guiding Warren through periods of significant growth while working to preserve the character that defines the community.

As the township noted, she was "a trailblazer who helped pave the way for future generations of women in local government" — not only as Warren's first female mayor, but as one of the first female mayors in New Jersey.

Her contributions left a permanent mark on the township. In 1997, the Susie B. Boyce Municipal Court Room was named in her honor in recognition of her enduring service.

Boyce's commitment to Warren did not end when she left elected office. She remained an active member of various boards and committees, including the Historic Sites Committee, where she continued working to preserve and celebrate Warren's history and heritage until her passing.

The township described her as someone who "devoted countless hours to making it a better place for residents, families, and future generations."

Her dedication to history extended well beyond her civic role. A longtime member of Springdale United Methodist Church, Boyce took a yearlong sabbatical from her faculty position at Montclair State University in the mid-1990s to write a definitive history of the congregation.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an avid genealogist who traced the lineage of her own family as well as prominent historical Warren families, and, in the words of the township, "a lover of the written word."

"Beyond her accomplishments in office, Susie Boyce will be remembered for her tenacity, generosity, and unwavering dedication to Warren," the township wrote. "She cared deeply about this community."

The Township Committee, township staff and the Warren community extended condolences to the Boyce family.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com