Listen to this article

As the Garden State continues to absorb the tragic and sudden passing of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver at age 71, the breadth of her impact as a public servant is palpable as remembrances and tributes continue to pour in.

NJBIZ reported Oliver’s passing Aug. 1, sharing some of the initial reactions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle as well as officials from Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration and other leading stakeholders and groups from around New Jersey.

Officials have not announced a cause of death as of the writing of this story. Oliver had been dealing with some undisclosed health issues and was hospitalized Monday at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston while serving as acting governor, with Murphy on vacation in Italy. Since Oliver was unable to discharge the duties of the office, Murphy’s office announced that Senate President Nick Scutari, D-22nd District would assume the duties of acting governor while Oliver received medical care.

On Tuesday, Oliver’s family announced her passing in a statement issued through the governor’s office.

“It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey,” the statement said. “She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero.”

“She was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable,” said Murphy in a statement. “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.”

Murphy is slated to return early from his trip, though no exact timetable has been announced by his office.

The governor has 45 days to pick a new lieutenant governor. Until Murphy returns from his vacation, which had been scheduled to last until Aug. 13, Scutari will continue to serve as acting governor.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for all of us who knew and admired Sheila Oliver,” Scutari said in a statement Tuesday. “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.”

The statements remembering Oliver have been notable in their sheer volume, showing the lives she impacted as well as the wide range of backgrounds, including from once-rivals across the aisle.

“It is a sad day for NJ and for me personally. The passing of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver is a loss for our state. I will miss Sheila. She served as Speaker in my first term, and we treated each other with kindness and respect. We got things done. She was a great person and partner,” former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wrote on social media.

“Sheila Oliver and I shared a unique bond, as the only Lt. Governors in the State of NJ,” former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno wrote on social media. “We shared insights into the role and a commitment to public service. She was the kind of leader who inspired everyone she met. This is a huge loss for the State of NJ and for me personally.”

“It is with true sadness that we learned of the passing of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver,” said gubernatorial candidate and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli. “A trailblazing public servant, rising to the highest levels of State leadership, Lt. Gov. Oliver always cared deeply for the people of her district and our State. From my time serving with her in the Assembly, I got to see and know Sheila as both a tenacious advocate and a person of great grace and compassion. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Sheila’s loved ones and friends.”

“Lt. Gov. Oliver served the people of NJ w/ poise, dignity & passion,” Diane Allen, former senator and Ciattarelli’s running mate in the 2021 election, wrote in a statement on social media. “Throughout our time together in Trenton & the 2021 campaign, Sheila was always warm, thoughtful, and generous of spirit. NJ has truly lost a special and significant public servant.”

Tributes continue to flood in from every corner of the Garden State:

“First and foremost, Sheila Oliver was my friend. She served the state of New Jersey with distinction and poise. As Lieutenant Governor, Assembly Speaker and County Freeholder, she fought tirelessly for those who were marginalized and disadvantaged,” said former Senate President Steve Sweeney. “My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. May she rest in peace.”

“On behalf of the New Jersey Department of Health, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Oliver family on the passing of Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “She was a trailblazer for women, especially young women of color, in the state. She also led by example for all in her dedication to a lifetime of public service and unwavering commitment to equity, affordable housing, and improving the lives of New Jersey residents.”

“Sheila Oliver was a gifted and passionate leader, a fierce advocate for our state, and an incomparable role model for those of us who serve in public office,” said Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “Her passing is a tragic loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very difficult time.”

“Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver was a friend to labor and every NJ worker. She will be remembered for her fierce advocacy for a fair minimum wage, affordable housing, and economic opportunities in disadvantaged communities,” the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development wrote in a statement on social media. “She will be greatly missed.”

“For those of us who have had the privilege of serving in the Murphy-Oliver Administration, we have also lost a mentor, colleague and friend – a leader who personified the best of who New Jersey is and who we can become,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan. “She was a role model who led with wisdom, courage, passion, and toughness. New Jersey is stronger and fairer today because of Lt. Gov. Oliver’s leadership and dedication. May she rest in peace.”

“The Choose New Jersey team and I extend our condolences to the Oliver family and our colleagues in state government on such a tremendous loss,” said Choose New Jersey President and CEO Wesley Mathews. “Lt. Gov. Oliver was a public servant who served with honor and dignity every day of her career. A trailblazer and a true New Jerseyan, she exemplified what is possible, could relate to the social struggles of all cultures, and was an inspiration to many.”

“She was a leader for the people. She walked softly and utilized her big stick with discretion. Her portfolio of accomplishments is too voluminous to share at this time; however, she leaves behind a legacy that is to be recognized with tremendous gratitude,” said John Harmon Sr.; founder, president and CEO; African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

“Her legacy and impact on New Jersey will be felt for generations. This is a tremendous loss,” said New Jersey CannaBusiness Association President Scott Rudder.

“The Chemistry Council of New Jersey is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver,” said Dennis Hart, executive director, Chemistry Council of New Jersey. “Throughout her tenure in the New Jersey Legislature and later as Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly, the Council and its membership had the privilege of developing a strong and fruitful relationship with Lt. Gov. Oliver. Her unwavering dedication and commitment to serving the people of New Jersey were evident in every interaction we had with her.”

“Lt. Gov. Oliver was always eager and willing to assist and meet with the business community throughout her service in Trenton, both when she served in the Legislature and the Executive Branch. Her leadership, compassion, understanding and genuineness will be missed,” said Anthony Russo, president of Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ).

“The New Jersey Builders Association is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Honorable Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver,” the NJBA said in a statement. “To echo Gov. Phil Murphy, Lt. Gov. Oliver was a trailblazer who worked tirelessly to improve opportunities for others. There may be no other individual in our state who fought harder to make housing more accessible than Lt. Gov. Oliver.”

“Lt. Gov. Oliver was a friend to our sector and an inspiration to many,” said Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey President and CEO Staci Berger. “In 2020, we honored her as our Community Development Champion for her exceptional support and leadership during the pandemic. Under the direction of Lt. Gov. Oliver, DCA took action in the early days of the pandemic to prevent housing instability and protect thousands of renters and homeowners on the brink of homelessness.”

“She was genuine, never forgetting her childhood in Newark, and she never wavered in her commitment to create a better future for our entire state. My prayers go out to her family and all those who knew and loved her,” said Lamont Repollet, president of Kean University.

“Our Lt. Gov. will be missed dearly. She brought elegance and strength to the role and was an asset to the entire Murphy Administration. Her mentorship to so many in Trenton, including current legislators who counted on her counsel, was very evident to all of us who were trying to figure out Trenton in the early days,” said Guillermo Artiles, chair of McCarter Government Affairs. “We will also miss her leadership in Essex County and as Commissioner of Community Affairs, an agency that very much reflected her commitment to the people of New Jersey and its most basic, yet critically important issues: clean water, affordable housing and paying for utility bills.”

“Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver was a role model, mentor, and an inspiration to women in New Jersey and across the country, especially women of color,” said Deborah Visconi, president and CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “She was known as a fierce advocate for women’s equality and a proponent of social justice. Her passing is a tremendous loss to this state, and all of us at the Medical Center extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.”

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

“All of us at St. Joseph’s Health are devastated to learn of the passing of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver,” said Kevin Slavin, president and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health. “She was a true visionary leader and proud public servant who had the respect of the entire Garden State.”

“Sheila Oliver was a tremendous advocate for people in underserved communities in New Jersey, particularly around their access to safe, clean drinking water, and I cherished the conversations we had about this issue,” said New Jersey American Water President Mark McDonough. “Her leadership will be deeply missed.”

Developments are still playing out with this story. Please stay with NJBIZ for the very latest as we learn more.

“Further information and details regarding memorial arrangements will be provided in due course. Until then, we appreciate your understanding and support,” the Oliver family said. “May her memory be a source of comfort and strength to all who knew her.”

“I extend my sincere condolences to the Oliver Family in this time of grief,” Scutari added. “We share in your loss.”