Governor Phil Murphy ordered that U.S. and New Jersey flags remain at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities on Thursday, February 10, 2022, to honor the passing of Judge Barbara A. Curran. Judge Curran was the first woman to serve as a principal in all three branches of New Jersey state government, having served in the Assembly, as a member of the Governor's Cabinet, and as a Superior Court judge.
“Judge Curran was a trailblazer who was well-respected by Democrats and Republicans alike,” said Governor Murphy. “Throughout her remarkable career, she broke several glass ceilings in state government and served as a role model for many women in public service. She will be greatly missed.”
WHEREAS, Judge Barbara A. Curran, a dedicated public servant and pioneer in her field, was born on August 26, 1940 in New York City, and raised in New York and New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran spent her life in service of the people of New Jersey, becoming the first woman to serve as a principal in all three branches of State government, as she served in the State Legislature, as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, and as a Judge of the Superior Court; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a Master of Arts degree from Syracuse University, and her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran worked as an editor of the Rahway News Record and the Clark Patriot; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran served as Republican State Chairman Nelson Gross’s assistant during William Cahill’s successful bid for Governor in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran was named the first woman Executive Director of the New Jersey Republican State Committee; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran was elected to represent District 24 in the New Jersey State Assembly in 1973 and was re-elected to the State Assembly in 1975 and 1977; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran was appointed to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities by Governor Brendan Byrne, and was elevated to President of the Board of Public Utilities during Governor Thomas Kean’s administration, placing her in Governor Kean’s Cabinet; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran was nominated to be a Judge of the Superior Court by Governor Jim Florio in 1992, and, after confirmation, served on the bench until her retirement in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran remained dedicated to public service, serving as general counsel to the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation, a non-profit organization that provided scholarships to the children of fallen and wounded veterans; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran shattered many glass ceilings throughout her career, inspiring young women across New Jersey, and advancing the interests of others, all while raising her beloved daughter Katie as a single mother; and
WHEREAS, Judge Curran’s shining example will be greatly missed by all who knew her, including her family, friends, and countless colleagues across New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow that we mourn the passing of Judge Curran, and extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and colleagues; and
WHEREAS, it is proper that we recognize such an inspirational and trailblazing individual, and mark the passing of Judge Curran;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours until sunset on Thursday, February 10, 2022, in recognition and mourning of a dedicated public servant, Judge Barbara A. Curran.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
9th day of February,
Two Thousand and Twenty-two, and
of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Forty-Sixth.
[seal]
/s/ Philip D. Murphy
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Parimal Garg
Chief Counsel to the Governor