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Gov. Phil Murphy’s office has confirmed the death of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver at the age of 71.

“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. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero,” the Oliver family said in a statement released Aug. 1 through the governor’s office. “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.”

The tragic announcement follows a Monday statement from the governor’s office that Oliver, who was set to serve as acting governor while Murphy was on vacation in Italy, was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical situation and unable to discharge the duties of the position. That led to Senate President Nick Scutari, D-22nd, assuming those responsibilities.

Oliver, who was born and raised in Newark, served as lieutenant governor and commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs since the beginning of Murphy’s administration. That followed a long stint in the Legislature, including as assembly speaker, across a life full of public service.

“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, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver,” Murphy said in a statement. “When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lt. Gov. Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word.  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,” Murphy said.

Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, @LtGovOliver.
 
We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ty6drz7DgY

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 1, 2023

“Further information and details regarding memorial arrangements will be provided in due course. Until then, we appreciate your understanding and support,” the Oliver family statement added.

“She was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable,” said Murphy. “We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who knew and loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

New Jersey reacts

Given her long career in public service and major impact she has had on New Jersey, it not surprising that condolences, remembrances and tributes to Oliver continue to emerge from all corners of the Garden State, from leading lawmakers, officials, stakeholders, organizations, and so many more.

“Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration,” the Oliver family statement stressed. “We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community.”

“In the five and a half years that we served together in office, in addition to her responsibilities as Lieutenant Governor, Sheila led the Department of Community Affairs, handling some of the most challenging issues facing our State, including the revitalization of our cities, affordable housing obligations, and homelessness prevention,” Murphy noted in his statement. “As someone who was born and raised in Newark, and who has called East Orange home for more than 40 years, Sheila did not view these issues in the abstract because she lived with them every day of her life.  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.”

“This is a heartbreaking loss for all of us who knew and admired Sheila Oliver. She touched the lives of countless people as a dedicated public official who worked tirelessly to improve opportunities for others. She has a record of accomplishment that is unmatched,” said Acting Gov. Nick Scutari. “I was fortunate to work closely with Sheila when she served in the Assembly and as Lieutenant Governor, where I gained even greater respect for her leadership skills and appreciation for her selfless human qualities. Sheila was a trailblazer who broke through glass ceilings to become the first woman of color to serve as Assembly Speaker and as Lieutenant Governor. I believe she will continue to be an inspiration for generations of young people.”

“Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver is a hero. She was brilliant. She was fearless,” said Attorney General Matthew Platkin. “And she was unfailingly kind. Her life was marked by service – to her community, her county, her state, and her country. Millions of New Jerseyans live in a more just and equitable state thanks to her efforts.”

“She was more than a trusted colleague to me. Sheila was also a cherished friend, mentor, and role model to me and countless other African American women who have chosen a career in public service,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way.

“Newark is in mourning. We’ve lost a favorite daughter, cherished and revered,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “Long before she was Lieutenant Governor, Sheila Oliver mentored so many in our city – with wisdom, compassion, intelligence, and a fierce dedication to diversity, equality, equity, and justice.”

“Today, we bid farewell to a remarkable woman who was a trailblazer in this state, a friend to so many, but to me, family. Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver embodied the spirit of a warrior, she was a fierce advocate for our communities and led with resilience and compassion,” said Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-29t District. “She was not only a fearless fighter for the voiceless, but she was also a pioneer who shattered glass ceilings and opened doors for so many women and especially women of color. Born and raised in Newark, she carried the essence of her diverse upbringing throughout her distinguished career in public service.”

She was more than a trusted colleague to me. Sheila was also a cherished friend, mentor, and role model to me and countless other African American women who have chosen a career in public service. – Secretary of State Tahesha Way

“On behalf of the Senate Republican caucus, we are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our dear friend, and colleague, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver. Her legacy will forever live on as a trailblazer for women in New Jersey, becoming not only the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly, but also just the second in the Nation to lead a legislative body,” said Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-25th District. “When I first entered the General Assembly, I had the honor of working with Sheila as Speaker. She was a devout public servant and an incredibly kind person. I know many of our members will have fond memories of serving with Sheila and her professionalism. I will miss our friendship and work together. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”

“I have known Sheila since my first day in the Legislature. She was my first Speaker. I had a front row seat to see her break the glass ceiling and become New Jersey’s first Black woman Speaker, and New Jersey’s first Black Lieutenant Governor. She was dedicated to serving the people of New Jersey,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District. “Sheila was an extraordinary person. She was deeply committed to the people she served, and the state she loved.  We will miss her wisdom, leadership, and passion. On a personal level, Tish and I will miss our friend, and I will cherish the 14 years we shared serving New Jersey together.”

“Soon after I became an assemblyman, Sheila Oliver was elected Assembly Speaker. Despite holding the top spot in the Assembly, she remained a grounded leader who stood up for the concerns of her community,” said Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio, D-23rd District. “She was a force, but not forceful. She was a trailblazer who leaves a legacy of public service that is to be admired. The sudden loss of Sheila is heartbreaking and I send my deepest condolences to her family, friends and close colleagues.”

“This is a very sad day for the State of New Jersey,” said New Jersey Business & Industry Association President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “Beyond being a loyal public servant to the state, especially in her leadership role with the Department of Community Affairs, Lt. Gov. Oliver was also a strong and inspirational advocate for women business owners over the years. We were always appreciative of her working with NJBIA in our collective pursuit of advancing women’s leadership in our great state.”

“The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is saddened to learn of the passing of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver. As the first Black woman to serve as Assembly Speaker, Lt. Gov. Oliver was a tireless advocate on a wide variety of issues and she always listened to the concerns of New Jersey’s business community, especially small businesses,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “She was a passionate supporter of urban revitalization efforts and she realized the state’s economic success was dependent on all New Jerseyans having access to safe, affordable housing as well as a quality education.”

“The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lt. Gov. Shelia Oliver. The Lt. Governor was a trailblazer, who embodied everything it means to be a public servant,” said Christina Renna, president and CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey. “The CCSNJ had the privilege of recently working with Lt. Gov. Oliver on the Atlantic City Restart and Recovery Working Group, which she led, to help Atlantic City recover following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her commitment to helping the Atlantic City community re-emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic is a tremendous piece of the legacy she leaves behind. Our sincerest condolences to the Oliver family during this difficult time.”

Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett called Oliver “a trailblazer and extraordinary advocate for the people of New Jersey.”

He added: “As CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, I witnessed firsthand her unwavering dedication and tireless efforts to advance the well-being of communities throughout our great state. Lt. Gov. Oliver was a great partner in our efforts to  expand access to high-quality healthcare for all New Jersey residents, a strategy that has benefitted countless people.

“She was a strong advocate in the fight against cancer and supported the network’s John Theurer Cancer Center’s efforts to become part of the NCI-designated Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. At our historic announcement, she spoke passionately about this designation and finding a cure for cancer.  She leaves a rich legacy of fighting for the voiceless and dedicating herself to public service, proudly becoming the first woman of color to serve in a statewide elected office in New Jersey. On behalf of Hackensack Meridian Health, we extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to Lt. Governor Oliver’s family and friends.”

This story is developing. Please stay with NJBIZ for the very latest.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:40 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. EDT on Aug. 1, 2023, to include reactions from around the state.