Obituaries
First Democratic Woman Elected To Legislature From Bergen Co. Dies
Greta Kiernan, a stalwart political figure in Bergen County, died at age 89 this week, an obituary said.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A woman with a long and distinguished career in Democratic politics in Bergen County has died at age 89, an obituary published by The Star-Ledger said.
Greta Kiernan, the first Democratic woman elected to the state legislature from Bergen County, representing the 39th legislative district in the General Assembly, died Tuesday in her Plainsboro home, the obit said.
Prior to her term (1978-1980), Kiernan was an aide to several Bergen County legislators, including state Sen. Matthew Feldman (D-Teaneck), Assemblyman Harold Martin (D-Cresskill) and Assemblyman Albert Burstein (D-Tenafly). She also served as a Bergen County Democratic Committeewoman.
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Kiernan also had other influential roles over a 50-year career, working at most, if not all, levels of government, the obit said.
She served on administrative staff for former New Jersey Govs. James McGreevy, Richard Codey and Jon Corzine. She was also the first state representative at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
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Kiernan was also a three-time "Jeopardy!" champion.
Born in New York City, she is predeceased by her husband and survived by six children and 11 grandchildren.
"(Kiernan) was a mentor to so many people in the world of government and politics and was a role model to all who knew her," her obit said.
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