State funeral for New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver held at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark

NEWARK, N.J. -- The state funeral for New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver was held Saturday in Newark, bringing an end to the three-day celebration of her life and legacy.

Oliver, 71, died in office on Aug. 1 after being admitted into the hospital for an undisclosed medical condition.

A political trailblazer, Oliver was the first woman of color elected to statewide office in New Jersey and the first Black woman serving as the state's lieutenant governor.  

Her body lied in state at the New Jersey State House in Trenton, then at the Essex County Courthouse in Newark, where she grew up.

Hundreds came together at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart to say goodbye. Pallbearers, including Oliver's nephew, carried the flag-draped casket as state police saluted her one last time.

"She was the sun in our family, and we all merely orbited around her," Oliver's niece Renee Oliver said.

Inside, her niece and nephew calling Oliver the greatest role model ever.

"My godmother, my surrogate mother, my mentor, my life coach, a real-life superwoman," nephew Charles E. Oliver said.

A superwoman, they say, always giving wise advice.

"I stand and represent everything that my auntie fought and advocated for," Renee Oliver said.

Watch Christina Fan's report

In her own words, Oliver's once explained why she lifted others up, especially Black women and girls.

In a video, she said, "I hope that little girls that were watching TV that night could see me standing on that stage and could know that they too could aspire to become a lieutenant governor or a governor."

Newark's mayor and the Rev. Al Sharpton also paid tribute during the service.

"Every time we saw you, we were proud. We felt good. We felt elevated because when people talked about us, we pointed at you," Mayor Ras J. Baraka said.

"She never backed down. She never sold out. She never turned her back on the people that made her," Sharpton said.

"We were elected and re-elected to finish this job together, and it breaks my heart to say that's no longer possible, so New Jersey, I need you. We need you to finish the job together," Gov. Phil Murphy said.

Watch the full funeral service

Murphy called Oliver his greatest partner in government, an inspiration and an irreplaceable friend. 

"I relied on Sheila to shape our administration's policies on revitalizing our cities, expanding affordable housing, supporting our neighbors in need, and so much more," he said.

"I don't think anyone really understood all of the power that she had. She was quiet about that and she did what she had to do and she got to the finish line in a positive way where nobody was left behind," said State Sen. Theresa Ruiz. 

Superstar Dionne Warwick also talking about her friend's soft side.

"I knew she loved to laugh, and she loved a good piece gossip, too," she said.

Oliver's brother says his 95-year-old mother is overwhelmed by the public's love and support.

"When we pulled up, she said, 'Are all these police officers and people here for Sheila?' I said, 'Yes, Mom, they're all here for Sheila,'" Charles C. Oliver said.

Condolence letters from President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Congressman James Clyburn were included inside the programs given out at Oliver's funeral.

The president wrote, "Sheila embodied the best in America."

After Saturday's funeral service, the Honor Guard escorted Oliver's casket to the cemetery for a private ceremony. 

Friends says she leaves behind a legacy of service to the people of New Jersey.

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