Memorial Service Set For Essex County Republican Chair Mary McNett

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Mary McNett, 83, of Short Hills — who'd served on the Millburn Township Committee and as the Essex County Republican chairwoman — passed away on Nov. 22 at Overlook Hospital from natural causes. A memorial service will be held at St. Rose of Lima church on Friday, Jan. 26 at 11 a.m.

McNett was born Dec. 13, 1939 to Robert and Ellen Foster in Chicago, Illinois.

She grew up on the Philadelphia Main Line, in Lower Marion, Pa. After she graduated from Lower Marion High School, she graduated with a degree in Foreign Affairs from George Washington University.

She met John P. McNett there and later married him.

Mary was extremely active in the community. Before becoming an elected official, she served as vice chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, president of the Short Hills Association and the Republican Club, and chaired the Republican County Committee.

As a member of the Township Committee, she created the Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Team and served as its advisor.

She also served on the Planning Board, the Joint Meeting Board of Directors, and was a trustee of the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary.

Additionally, she served on the Township Committee’s Finance Subcommittee, was chairperson of the Deer Management Task Force, and served as liaison to the Environmental Commission and the Downtown Millburn Development Alliance.

At the time her passing she was chair of the local Republican County Committee, Vice Chair of the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society, and a member of the advisory board of Greenwood Gardens.

In addition to her work in the community, she enjoyed gardening and was an avid baker.

She is survived by her son, Gavin McNett, and daughter, Wendy McNett. She's predeceased by her former husband, John P. McNett.

See what she posted on Patch last year here.