Morris County Remembers Netcong Borough’s Mary Elizabeth Pierson

Published on July 09, 2021

Netcong Pierson Cropped 1.jpg

Memorial Resolutions Finally Delivered After Being Delayed by Pandemic

Resolutions honoring the memory of a leading Netcong resident, Mary Elizabeth Pierson, were presented to her family last night on behalf of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, state Sen. Anthony Bucco and Legislators from New Jersey’s 25th and 26th Districts.

Netcong Pierson Cropped 2.jpg Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw joined Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and Sen. Bucco in delivering special resolutions during a meeting of Netcong’s Mayor and Council, who also honored Mrs. Pierson. Her sons, Keith and Kenneth (Kip), were in attendance to accept the resolutions.

Mrs. Pierson, who grew up and raised her own family in Netcong Borough, was known for her extensive volunteer efforts, helping residents of Netcong and neighboring towns through many civic and social organizations. She was a life member of the New Jersey Historical Society and the Netcong Historical Society, and she was part of a successful, statewide effort to return the USS New Jersey back to state waters.

She also served over 50 years as Netcong’s Republican County Committee Chairwoman, working with leaders such as New Jersey Governor Tom Kean as well as other state, county and local officials over the decades before she died on November 6, 2019, just five weeks shy of her 100th birthday. Her son, Keith, said a public memorial was being discussed for 2020 when the pandemic postponed the plan.

Mrs. Pierson has been honored in the past by Morris County, the state Legislature and others, most recently on Oct. 5, 2017, when Allen Street in Netcong, where she was born and where she raised her own family, was dedicated as “Mary Pierson Way.” The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, as the Board ofMary E Pierson 2017 with Family after Road Dedication.jpg Commissioners was then known, also proclaimed the date “Mary Pierson Day” in Morris County.

Commissioner Director Shaw presented a new resolution last night in which the county Commissioners declared: “Morris County joins the Borough of Netcong and the family of Mary Elizabeth Pierson in celebrating her life and legacy to ensure she will always be remembered.”

Sen. Bucco and Assemblywoman Dunn presented a joint resolution of the state Senate and Assembly, which included Assemblyman Brian Bergen of District 25 as well as legislators of District 26, Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and Assemblyman Jay Webber. It stated, in part, “Within all the spheres of her life and work, Mary Elizabeth Pierson established a model to emulate and set a standard toward which others might strive.”

PHOTOS:

Top Right: Director Stephen Shaw presents Morris County's special resolution for Mary E. Pierson to sons, Keith and Kenneth (Kip).

Center Left: Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (left) joined Sen. Bucco in presenting a Joint Senate and Assembly Resolution for Mary E. Pierson to her sons, Keith and Kenneth (Kip). Also attending, in the background, was former Assemblyman Richard (Dick) Kamin.

Bottom Right: In 2017, Mary Elizabeth Pierson (center) was presented with one of several street signs bearing her name when her local street was dedicated in her honor. Pictured directly behind her is Mayor Joseph A. Nametko, along with her children, Gayle, Kenneth, Dayle, Diane and Keith.

 

 

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