Belleville Councilwoman Marie Strumolo-Burke Dies, Town Mourns: UPDATE

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville is mourning its second civic leader in a week with the loss of town council member Marie Strumolo-Burke, officials announced Friday.

Mayor Michael Melham posted an announcement about the councilwoman’s passing, saying that the town is feeling “profound sadness” over her death.

Strumolo-Burke, who represented the town’s 1st Ward for two decades, recently announced that she would not be running for re-election in this year’s municipal election.

“It’s been a ride these last 20 years serving you all, and now it’s time to pass the torch,” she said.

• See Related: Belleville Councilwoman Says She Won't Run Again In 2024
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The Belleville municipal website offers some background about Strumolo-Burke’s accomplishments and contributions to the township:

“A graduate of Central High School, she was the Valedictorian of her Class. Marie has been the President and Co-Founder of the Silver Lake Civic Association for 12 years, Belleville Democratic Chairman, Clerk of the Belleville Planning Board for 20 years, and author of Life In Silver Lake for the Belleville Times. She has been awarded a Plaque from BHS Varsity Baseball Team, Recipient of the Silver Card from the Belleville Police Dept, Certificate from the Shafter Branch Library, and the Community Service Award from the N.J. General Assembly.”

“Councilwoman Strumolo-Burke dedicated decades of service to our community, leaving an indelible mark on the First Ward of Belleville, particularly in Silver Lake,” Melham wrote Friday.

“Her leadership roles within the Silver Lake Civic Association, her commitment as a Democrat county committee leader, and her tenure as a councilwoman made her a fixture within our township,” the mayor added.

Melham continued:

“Though we knew Councilwoman Strumolo-Burke was facing health challenges in recent months, her absence from our last council meeting seemed more noticeable. Knowing she was likely watching the live-stream, we took some time to send her well wishes. In recent days, Marie and her family remained in our thoughts and prayers. A trailblazer in many respects, it seems almost fitting that we bid her farewell on International Women's Day.”

“In honor of her memory, I have asked the township manager to drape mourning bunting at all municipal buildings and lower the flag at Town Hall to half-mast as a symbol of our collective mourning,” Melham said.

“Let us continue to hold Marie's family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the mayor concluded. “The township will announce funeral details as soon as they become available.”

It was the second difficult announcement Melham has made this week.

Last Friday, he released news about the death of former mayor Billy Escott. Melham also asked the town manager to place mourning bunting at all municipal buildings and fly the flag at Town Hall at half-mast after Escott’s passing.

• See Related: Belleville Mourns For Ex-Mayor, Billy Escott: 'Unwavering Dedication'

Tracy Juanita Williams, who earned an endorsement from Strumolo-Burke as her successor in this year’s council election, also issued a message of mourning on Friday.

She wrote:

“I regret to inform you all that my friend, my mentor, my councilwoman, Marie Strumolo-Burke has passed away. I can’t put into the words the emotion I feel right now … Marie was the first person to ever ask me to run for public office and my biggest supporter — she gave me opportunities I could never repay. That was Marie. She loved Silver Lake, she loved Belleville, she loved all of us. Her neighbors. Her friends. Her family, and all those who became family to her. Marie, I promise that I will honor your memory. Thank you for everything, God bless you, and may I see you again one day.”

FUNERAL

Belleville town officials released the following funeral details for Strumolo-Burke:

• Visitation will take place Tuesday, March 12 from 4-8 p.m. at O’Boyle Funeral Home, 309 Broad St. in Bloomfield.
• Services will be held Wednesday, March 13 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 63 Franklin St. in Belleville.
• Councilwoman Strumolo-Burke will be laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery, 28 Hoover Ave. in Bloomfield.

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