Lt. Gov of NJ died unexpectedly

[msmerymac]

She was serving as acting governor since Phil Murphy is on vacation in Italy this week with his family. He was scheduled to return Sunday but will now be returning "shortly."

I live a few dozen miles from NJ, and heard on the news this morning that she had been hospitalized and could no longer perform her duties, so the President of the NJ Senate, Nicholas Scutari, was stepping in, which led to a bunch of questions that weren't addressed in that segment, but I just saw that she died at age 71:


www.yahoo.com/news/new-jersey-lt-gov-sheila-oliver-dead-71-acting-governor-what-we-know-174004009.html

She was the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly of NJ and the second Black woman to lead the house of a state legislature in the US. 


New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who had served as the acting governor of the state this week while Gov. Phil Murphy was on vacation in Italy, died unexpectedly Tuesday at the age of 71.



Oliver was hospitalized Monday for an undisclosed medical issue, the Associated Press reported.



Murphy released a statement from Italy, where he was vacationing with his wife and children.



"Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver.

[penguingrrl]

Such a sad day for NJ. She was a truly amazing and inspirational woman. My heart goes out to her loved ones.

[brooklyn]

This is such sad news!

[sent]

I went on a tour of the NJ State Capitol back in June and the tour guide made it a point to ask us if we knew who the lieutenant governor was. One person in the group knew. May she RIP.