Union County mourns the loss of a trailblazer, an innovator, a mentor, a historian, an educator, and one of the most influential public servants our County and State have ever known.

For nearly five decades, Joanne H. Rajoppi dedicated her life to serving the people of Union County and New Jersey.

She broke barriers as the first woman elected Mayor of Springfield and later as the first woman elected Union County Clerk, but those who knew Joanne understood that her legacy was never about being the first. It was about opening doors for those who would follow.

Her public service journey began on the Springfield Board of Education and Township Committee before she became Mayor in 1977. She went on to serve as a Union County Freeholder and Chairwoman of the Board, Assistant Secretary of State for New Jersey, Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages for twelve years, and ultimately Union County Clerk beginning in 1995.

Throughout her distinguished career, Joanne never stopped looking for ways to make government work better for the people it served. She championed innovation, modernized public services, digitized records, expanded access to passports and election resources, and helped make Union County one of the first counties in the nation to provide a free countywide election app.

Her work earned national recognition, including seven National Association of Counties Achievement Awards for Innovative and Creative Management.

Beyond government, Joanne was a journalist who helped organize the Newark Evening News writers guild in 1971, a respected educator who taught public administration and public policy at Rutgers University for nearly twenty years, and a published historian and author.

Her books, including Women in Office: Getting There and Staying There, New Brunswick and the Civil War: The Brunswick Boys in the Great Rebellion, and Northern Women in the Aftermath of the Civil War: The Wives and Daughters of the Brunswick Boys, preserved important stories of women in public life and New Jersey history for future generations.

She was a leader among leaders, serving as President of the New Jersey Women’s Political Caucus, the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Association of Counties, and the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers.

The news of Joanne’s passing prompted an immediate outpouring of admiration from every corner of New Jersey public life.

Senate President Nicholas Scutari called her “one of the finest public servants in the history of the State of New Jersey,” described her as “a leader amongst her peers,” and said that in both politics and government, “there were no voices I trusted more.”

Senator Joseph Cryan remembered Joanne as “a tremendous person and an even better public servant,” someone the public could “always count on to be fair and accurate,” whose “dedication to those she served was unassailable” and whose “decency and integrity were without parallel.”

Assemblywoman Annette Quijano reflected on Joanne’s decades-long commitment to making government “more accessible, transparent, and responsive,” remembering her as a leader who “championed innovations that improved the lives of Union County residents” and whose commitment to public service, integrity, and good government earned respect across New Jersey and the nation.

Commissioners and former Commissioners remembered Joanne as a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend. Vice Chair Rebecca Williams described her as a warm and courageous woman, a pioneer in New Jersey government, and the Board’s “go-to person” on elections and the services vital to our democracy. Commissioner Lourdes Leon reflected on her dear friend’s decades of public service and commitment to upholding our elections, while Commissioner Stanley Neron remembered her contagious spirit, kindness, encouragement, and called her “the definition of a dedicated public servant.” Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded remembered one of the hardest working women she had ever known, and former Commissioner Sergio Granados described Joanne as “a true inspiration and leader,” someone who was “respected and loved by all” and who would always remain “a staple of Union County.”

Many described her as the foremost authority on elections and county government. Others simply called her a friend.

Perhaps most remarkable was that regardless of title, office, or political affiliation, the words used to describe Joanne were remarkably consistent: trusted, innovative, kind, generous, principled, and devoted to public service.

Residents shared stories of Joanne personally helping them obtain passports, guiding them through notary services, answering election questions, teaching seminars, and taking the time to ensure they received the help they needed.

Former students remembered her as a teacher and mentor. Public officials remembered her encouragement and advice. Women in government remembered the doors she opened and the example she set.

Many reflected that they had never known Union County without Joanne Rajoppi serving it in some capacity.

For generations of Union County residents, Joanne Rajoppi wasn’t simply part of county government. She was one of the people who defined it.

One resident described her as “the heart of Union County.”

Others simply called her “a legend.”

Her impact can be seen in stronger institutions, more accessible government, and the countless public servants she encouraged, mentored, and inspired throughout her career.

Union County is better because Joanne Rajoppi served it.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners extends its deepest condolences to Joanne’s family, friends, colleagues, former students, and the many residents whose lives she touched through her remarkable career and extraordinary commitment to public service.

Her legacy will endure for generations.

Rest in peace, Joanne, and thank you for everything you gave to Union County.

Statement from the Commissioner Board

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is deeply saddened by the passing of Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, a devoted public servant who remained committed to her work and to the residents of Union County throughout her life.

Joanne brought tremendous knowledge, energy and determination to the County Clerk’s Office every day. She was always looking for ways to make its services more accessible and convenient, whether by expanding office hours, improving online access to public records, providing residents with clear election information or creating new resources for veterans, notaries and business owners.

“I have known Joanne for more than 45 years, dating back to her campaign for mayor of Springfield. I watched her go on to serve as Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages and later as County Clerk, building a remarkable career in public service,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “Throughout all those years, Joanne was a constant presence in Union County government. She cared deeply about her work and the residents who relied on her office. She was smart, strong and determined, and she never stopped working to improve the services her office provided. It is difficult to imagine our County without her. On behalf of the entire Board of County Commissioners, I extend our deepest condolences to her family, her loved ones and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her.”

She was also a respected and fearless advocate for election integrity. Joanne was never afraid to raise difficult questions, challenge the status quo or stand her ground when she believed the public’s trust was at stake. Her leadership helped strengthen election safeguards not only in Union County, but across New Jersey.

“Joanne was not only an accomplished constitutional officer, but also an important part of our County family,” said Union County Manager Ed Oatman. “She remained deeply involved in the work of her office and brought decades of experience and an extraordinary sense of responsibility to her role. Her loss will be felt immediately throughout County government. We will miss her leadership, her strength and the unmistakable presence she brought to everything she did.”

Joanne’s leadership and innovation earned recognition throughout New Jersey and across the country. She was a six-time recipient of the National Association of Counties Award for innovative government and computerization, served in leadership positions with state, national and international professional organizations, and taught public administration at Rutgers University for nearly 20 years.

“Joanne’s legacy is also an important part of the history of women in public service,” said Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “She stepped forward at a time when women were not nearly as well represented in elected office, and she showed that women belonged not only at the table, but in positions of leadership. Through her strength, longevity and example, she helped open doors for more women to run, serve and lead. I will always be grateful for her support and guidance, and she will be deeply missed.”

The Board of County Commissioners joins the entire Union County community in mourning Joanne’s loss. Her work helped shape the way residents access County services, public records and elections, and the impact of her service will continue to be felt for many years to come.