22 Facts About Lucinda Florio

Lucinda Coleman Florio was an American teacher and advocate for education and literacy, who, as the wife of then-New Jersey governor Jim Florio, served as the first lady of New Jersey from 1990 to 1994.

Lucinda Florio Coleman wanted to become a teacher, but since her working class family never discussed college, she never expected to pursue higher education.

Lucinda Florio attended Gloucester City High School and transferred to the Seventh-day Adventist Garden State Academy in Sussex County, New Jersey, in her junior year.

Lucinda Florio first enrolled in Gloucester County College, a local community college, when her son was five years old, before ultimately earning her bachelor's degree in education from Glassboro State College, now known as Rowan University, in 1975, just six years later.

In 1984, Lucinda Coleman met her future second husband, James "Jim" Florio, while both were living in the same apartment complex in Pine Hill, New Jersey.

Jim Lucinda Florio, who divorced his first wife in 1985, was serving in the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey's 1st congressional district at the time.

Lucinda and James Florio married on February 14,1988, the second and final marriage for both.

Lucinda Florio actively campaigned on behalf of her husband during the race and was credited by observers with softening his image with voters before and after the election.

Lucinda Florio lends a human dimension people can relate to.

Lucinda Florio left her teaching career to focus on her new role as the state's first lady.

In 1990, the New York Times wrote that Lucinda Florio was "becoming the most active First Lady New Jersey has seen in recent memory", in contrast with the relatively private roles of several of her predecessors.

Lucinda Florio established the new state Office of the First Lady, following the advice of other state first ladies whom she met through the National Governors Association.

Lucinda Florio played a major role in the renovation of the mansion into the modern residence of New Jersey's governors and their families.

Lucinda Florio focused much of her efforts on the living quarters, which had largely been untouched by Kean, who had not lived in the house.

Lucinda Florio remained extremely popular with voters and leaders of the Democratic Party throughout her time as first lady, even after her husband's poll numbers fell following a tax increase.

Lucinda Florio remained active in education and charitable work after her husband left public office.

Lucinda Florio carved out her own public role as an advocate for early childhood education, women's rights, and literacy programs.

Lucinda Florio served as a trustee and education committee member at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City.

Lucinda Florio worked with the United Way of Middlesex County to evaluate their child care programs and co-chaired a $2.5 million capital campaign for the YMCA of Metuchen, which ranks as the largest child care provider in the region.

Lucinda and Jim Florio lived in Metuchen, New Jersey, before moving to Moorestown in South Jersey during their later years.

Lucinda Florio died on November 16,2022, at the age of 75, just 52 days after the death of her husband.

Lucinda Florio was buried beside Jim Florio in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.