All about Sheila Oliver funeral, burial service, date, time, venue, pictures.
Sheila Oliver was an American politician who served as the second-ever lieutenant governor of New Jersey from 2018 until her death in 2023.
A member of the Democratic Party, Oliver was the first Black woman to serve as lieutenant governor of New Jersey and was the first woman of color elected to statewide office in New Jersey.
Who was Sheila Oliver?
Sheila Y. Oliver served as the lieutenant governor of New Jersey from 2018 until her death on August 1, 2023.
Born in Newark, she went to Weequahic High School – an institution best known as the alma mater of the novelist Philip Roth.
Oliver graduated cum laude from Lincoln University, before getting a Master’s in social work from Columbia.
She worked in academia and social services before joining the board of the East Orange School District in 1994.
Oliver served as the board’s president from 1999 to 2000, after her bid to become the Democrat candidate for East Orange mayor was scotched by Robert L. Bowser.
In 2003 the New Jersey Democratic machine backed Oliver as a candidate for the State Assembly, representing the 34th District around East Orange.
She served as the assembly’s speaker from 2010 to 2014, backing Republican governor Chris Christie’s cuts to public-sector pensions and benefits.
Police and fire unions slammed Oliver for introducing the bill after telling them it was still under consideration.
After Joseph Cryan botched a coup to replace her, Oliver cut a deal to stay in post with Senator Nicholas Sacco, Essex County boss Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., and South Jersey boss George Norcross.
Oliver ran for the US Senate in the 2013 special election to replace Frank Lautenberg, but was beaten by Cory Booker with just four per cent of the vote.
Phil Murphy chose Oliver as his running mate in the 2017 election for New Jersey governor, beating Republican opponents Kim Guadagno and Carlos Rendo.
After she was sworn in as lieutenant governor, Oliver signed laws covering caregivers, wage protections, and youth justice.
Following their re-election in 2021, Oliver was widely viewed as a candidate to replace Murphy in 2025.
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When did Sheila Oliver die?
Sheila Oliver, who had been filling in as acting governor of New Jersey while Governor Phil Murphy is out of the country, died on August 1, 2023, her family revealed.
“It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey,” the statement read.
“She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero.
“As we come to terms with this profound loss, we kindly request that you respect the privacy of the Oliver family during this difficult time as they grieve their beloved Sheila.
“Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration.
“We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community.”
Murphy mourned the death of Oliver, calling her a trailblazer.
“When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word,” Murphy wrote in a statement.
“She had already made history as the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly, and just the second Black woman in the nation’s history to lead a house of a state legislature.
“I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the State of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made.”
Oliver was rushed to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, on Monday, for an undisclosed reason.
Murphy’s spokesperson said in a statement that Oliver was receiving medical care but declined to elaborate on her condition.
When is Sheila Oliver funeral?
The funeral arrangements of Sheila Oliver are pending right now. The services will likely be kept private.
Having said that, we are still following up on her death, we will update you as soon as we get important information about Sheila Oliver funeral service.
Hopefully, this article was able to provide you with all the necessary information about Sheila Oliver funeral.
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