Obituary of Carol J Murphy

The Honorable Carol Jackson Murphy, formerly of Lake Valhalla in Montville, died peacefully in her Belvidere, New Jersey home on December 14th, 2011 at age 78. Born December 25, 1932 as Christine Carol "Christmas Carol" Jackson, in Rhode Island, she was a gift to all who knew her. A dedicated public servant, Carol devoted herself to enriching the lives of New Jersey citizens on the local, county and state level for more than 25 years. During her career, Carol served as a member of the Montville Township Committee from 1980-84 (Deputy Mayor 1984), Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1984-93 (Director 1987) and the New Jersey General Assembly from 1993-2001. While in the Assembly, Carol served as Assistant Majority Leader (1996-97), Majority Conference Leader (1998-99), chair of the Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, member of the prestigious Appropriations Committee, and numerous other committees. Among Carol's abundant successes in elected office was her work establishing the New Jersey Conquer Cancer license plate, chairing the NJ Advisory Council on Elder Care, reengineering county solid waste and recycling policy and being the first woman elected to serve as Conference Leader of the Assembly Republican Majority, as well as the first woman elected to the Montville Township Committee. Carol's career culminated in her appointment by the Governor as a Commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities where she served from 2001-04. Carol's service extended into the national arena with her leadership work on numerous committees such as Chair of the National Regulatory Research Institute's Board of Directors, Henry Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments Executive Committee, and Director of the National Association of Counties. Carol's work was lauded with multiple honors and awards, including her appointment as a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky in recognition of her national service. Carol was a passionate volunteer for more than 40 years through her membership in various social service and cultural organizations, including the Junior League of both Morristown and Montclair, ZONTA International, Morris Museum Board of Trustees, First Night Morris and the Family Service of Morris County. Carol was an active congregant of The Church of the Transfiguration in Towaco, NJ for more than four decades and, more recently, St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Belvidere, NJ. Carol and her husband Leonard were avid travelers. From bullfighting in the Canary Islands to climbing the Great Wall in China, they immersed themselves in the world around them. In 2007, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a three-month adventure, cruising around South America. Carol had a compassionate heart, adventurous spirit and an incredible zest for life. A fiercely loyal friend and supporter, Carol was known for her hallmark silver hair, fabulous sense of style, easy laugh, and heartfelt embrace. To know her was to love her. She will be greatly missed. A wonderful and loving mother and grandmother, Carol is survived by her son Phillip and wife Pam, daughter Christine (Amerspek) and husband Lee, daughter Katherine "Kate" (McGuinness) and husband Richard, sister-in-law Lillian (Carroll), eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and her constant companion and adored dog, Bitty Murphy. Carol is predeceased by her beloved husband of 50 years, Leonard, her brother Phillip (Jackson) and her parents, Harry and Jessie (Jackson). A visitation with the family will be held on Friday, January 20th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Mackey Funeral Home (mackeyfh.com) 107 Essex Ave., Boonton. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 215 Boulevard, Mountain Lakes, on Saturday, January 21st at 11:00 AM.. Memorial contributions in Carol's name may be made to either the Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey at WPCNJ, 134 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ, 08608 or to the Junior League of Morristown at JLM Tribute Fund, 7 King Place, Morristown, NJ, 07960.