Gov. Phil Murphy reflects on life of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver
TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday reflected on the life of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who died on Tuesday while he was away in Italy.
Fellow political leaders called Oliver, 71, a trailblazer. She was the first woman to serve as assembly speaker and then as lieutenant governor when she took the office in 2017.
Murphy was visibly shaken during his remarks.
"She was an inspiration, an icon and an irreplaceable friend, confident and leader," said Murphy. "Personally speaking, Tammy and I along with our four children are devastated."
Murphy signed an executive order to fly flags at half staff at state buildings for a month in Oliver's honor.
He said he paid his respects to Oliver and her family in East Orange, where Oliver lived for decades.
"Last night I spent time alone with Sheila in Newark, and then had the great honor to visit with her mom, her brother and his wife and their two kids," said Murphy. "It was, as you can imagine, an emotional visit."
Oliver was serving as acting governor when she was admitted to the hospital on Monday. She died Tuesday. Murphy said her death came as a shock, but deferred to the Oliver family when asked about her cause of death.
"Sheila was on top of her game with many, many different data points right up toward the end," said Murphy.
The governor credited Oliver for key issues in his administration, especially during the COVID pandemic.
"I relied on Sheila to shape our administration's policies on revitalizing our cities, expanding affordable housing," said Murphy.
Next week, Oliver will lie in state at the New Jersey State House rotunda on Thursday before a private memorial service at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Saturday.
Murphy said he will be going back to Italy to be with his family, but will return for the three-day celebration of Oliver's life.