Hackettstown NJ hit-and-run leaves college president’s spouse useless
The spouse of the president of Centenary College was killed in a hit-and-run whereas on a morning stroll Saturday in Hackettstown, the college introduced on its web site.
Jeanne Murphy, 70, was strolling alongside Reese Avenue close to First Avenue about 7:30 a.m. when she was struck by a automobile pushed by Hackettstown resident Jefferson Chimbo-Pelaez, stated Lt. Darren Tynan of the Hackettstown Police Division.
She was taken to Hackettstown Medical Middle after which flown to Morristown Medical Middle, the place she was pronounced useless at midday on Sunday.
Chimbo-Pelaez, 25, was later charged and held within the Warren County Correctional Facility. The Hackettstown Police Division and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Workplace are investigating. Tynan declined to specify the costs filed “right now.”
A retired U.S. Military colonel, Murphy arrived on campus along with her husband, Centenary President Bruce Murphy, on Jan. 1, 2020, just a few months earlier than the COVID pandemic lockdown. With social distancing nonetheless in place, his formal inauguration in February 2021 was performed as a digital occasion on Zoom.
As a former profession Military nurse, Jeanne Murphy had skilled expertise that “helped to tell the College’s new RN to BSN diploma,” the college wrote in a tribute. She additionally “held a particular place in her coronary heart” for the college’s equine research program, particularly the therapeutic using program that gives horsemanship alternatives for disabled riders and veterans.
The equine program is predicated in Lengthy Valley, and the college additionally operates a satellite tv for pc campus in Parsippany. Centenary has about 1,200 college students in undergraduate and graduate research on the three campuses, together with the primary campus on 42 acres in Hackettstown.
“She was dedicated to her household, in addition to working to advance the futures of Centenary College college students and veterans,” the Centenary tribute reads. “She additionally took nice pleasure in her canine, Weegee, who was adopted by the Murphys final 12 months.”
She grew to become concerned within the Hackettstown group as a member of the Hackettstown Enterprise Enchancment District and the Girls’s Membership of New Jersey and took half in group and college occasions honoring veterans.
Her 30-year navy profession included management roles as a member of america Olympic Committee board of administrators, and she or he chaired the USOC Multi-Sport Organizations Council for 10 years.
Murphy additionally was designated chef de mission for the U.S. Paralympic Group within the 2004 Olympic Video games in Athens, Greece. A former aggressive runner and swimmer, Murphy was the primary girl chosen to the U.S. Fashionable Pentathlon Group in 1975, Centenary wrote.
She held a grasp’s diploma in cardiovascular nursing and train physiology from the College of Washington and a bachelor’s in nursing from the College of Maryland.
Each Murphys served within the Military: Bruce Murphy went into academia after retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Jeanne Murphy’s survivors embody three brothers, David Picariello of San Francisco; Jim Picariello of Rochester, New York, and his spouse, Jean; and Gary Picariello of Brindisi, Italy, and his spouse, Julia; two nieces, Jasmin Picariello of Washington, D.C., and Lauren Picariello of Rochester; and a nephew, Jonathan Picariello, who’s serving with the U.S. Air Power.
Funeral preparations can be introduced at a later date, the college stated. Counselors can be out there on campus this week for the Centenary group.
Monday, tributes flowed from different space schools.
“The Murphys have carried out an excellent job main Centenary and serving their group and better schooling in New Jersey with enthusiasm and conviction,” County School of Morris President Anthony Iacono stated. “Jeanne’s presence, management and dedication to service enhanced not solely the work of Centenary but in addition was warmly acquired and benefited the better educational group. She can be missed, as her legacy carries on.”
“We’re shocked and saddened to be taught of the tragic passing of Jeanne Murphy over the weekend,” stated Drew College President Tom Schwarz. “The ideas of the Drew College group are with the whole Centenary group throughout this troublesome time. My spouse Keiren and I supply our sincerest condolences to the Murphy household as they mourn the lack of such a outstanding particular person.”
The New Jersey President’s Council, representing New Jersey’s public, personal and group schools and universities, additionally issued a press release: “Jeanne demonstrated nice enthusiasm for the college and its college students, which was reflective in her phrases and actions over the previous few years as President Murphy has led Centenary College.”
Tributes additionally got here from contained in the Centenary group.
“Like everybody, we have been shocked on the information,” Centenary Arts Division Chairman Carl Wallnau stated. “She was such a dynamic presence on campus and an actual advocate for Centenary and Centenary Stage. She was a frequent presence in any respect our theatre productions and occasions. Certainly, after our final Centenary efficiency of ‘Cinderella,’ she instructed me how a lot she loved the present and was wanting ahead to the January live performance sequence. That was the final time we spoke. I can’t think about what Bruce have to be feeling by this devastating loss.”
William Westhoven is an area reporter for DailyRecord.com. For limitless entry to crucial information out of your area people, please subscribe or activate your digital account at the moment.
E-mail: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com
Twitter: @wwesthoven