Leanna Brown, the first Republican woman elected to the New Jersey Senate, was remembered this week as a hard-working public servant and advocate for women’s causes.
The former Chatham councilwoman and Morris County freeholder died on Thursday.
“Leanna always showed a passion for the needs of county and state residents, working tirelessly on their behalf,” the freeholders said in a statement.
“She was a great backer of women’s causes, and was a great friend and mentor to many women who sought to join the political and electoral process. She was the driving force behind the county’s creation of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women,” the freeholders said.
Brown was a longtime member of the State Casino Control Commission. She served on the 2001 transition team of President George W. Bush, who appointed her to serve on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. She remained active in civic affairs in her later years.
“She was glad to share her knowledge and expertise, and not shy about offering her opinions, to many county freeholder boards over the years. We were fortunate and privileged to get that advice and guidance, and are a much better county as a result,” the freeholders said.
A memorial service tentatively is planned for Jan. 7, 2017. We’ll share more details as they become available.
Leanna had the amazing ability of being able to stay in contact with her many friends. Even sent out her 2016 Christmas cards, letting her friends know she had left her Morristown home to live with one of her children. RIP Leanna.