Longtime Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi Dies After Decades Of Public Service

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Joanne Rajoppi, the longtime Union County Clerk whose career in public service spanned decades, has died, county officials announced Thursday.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners said Rajoppi dedicated her career to serving residents and improving access to county services through her work in the Clerk’s Office.

During her time as Union County Clerk, Rajoppi focused on making government services more accessible, including expanding online access to public records, providing election information and creating resources for veterans, notaries and business owners, according to county officials.

“Joanne brought tremendous knowledge, energy and determination to the County Clerk’s Office every day,” county officials said in a statement.

Rajoppi’s career in public service began decades ago and included serving as Springfield mayor before later becoming Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages and then County Clerk, according to Union County officials.

Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek said he had known Rajoppi for more than 45 years and remembered her commitment to public service.

“I watched her go on to serve as Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages and later as County Clerk, building a remarkable career in public service,” Bodek said. “Throughout all those years, Joanne was a constant presence in Union County government.”

Bodek said Rajoppi cared deeply about the residents who relied on the County Clerk’s Office and worked to improve the services it provided.

“She was smart, strong and determined, and she never stopped working to improve the services her office provided,” Bodek said.

County officials also highlighted Rajoppi’s work involving election administration and public trust.

“Joanne was never afraid to raise difficult questions, challenge the status quo or stand her ground when she believed the public’s trust was at stake,” officials said.

Union County Manager Ed Oatman said Rajoppi’s experience and leadership made her an important part of county government.

“Joanne was not only an accomplished constitutional officer, but also an important part of our County family,” Oatman said. “She remained deeply involved in the work of her office and brought decades of experience and an extraordinary sense of responsibility to her role.”

Rajoppi was also recognized for her work in government innovation, receiving multiple awards from the National Association of Counties for government and technology initiatives, according to county officials. She also served in leadership positions with state, national and international professional organizations and taught public administration at Rutgers University for nearly 20 years.

Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded said Rajoppi’s career represented an important part of the history of women in public service.

“She stepped forward at a time when women were not nearly as well represented in elected office, and she showed that women belonged not only at the table, but in positions of leadership,” Palmieri-Mouded said.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners said Rajoppi’s work helped shape how residents access county services, public records and elections, and that her impact will continue to be felt throughout the community.