Barbara W. Mcconnell

Barbara W. McConnell, age 81 years, of Delaware Township, NJ, died Friday, October 21, 2016, at the Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

She was born in Murfreesboro, TN., October 5, 1935, daughter of the late Carson and Mildred Williford Wright, and had resided in the Flemington area over fifty years A graduate of Tennessee Tech, Cookville, TN., she was one of the first two female legislative assistants in the US House of Representatives working in that capacity for US Congressman Joe L. Evins of Tennessee. Barbara was Miss Overton County and a contestant in the Miss Tennessee Beauty Pageant.

Long active in Democratic Party politics, she was a former Hunterdon County Assemblywoman; a former gubernatorial candidate in the 1981 Democratic primary for NJ Governor; a former Commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development in the administration of NJ Gov. James Florio; and was a member of the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee.

Active in community affairs, she was a former trustee of the Hunterdon Medical Center and former board member of Women’s Crisis Services, Flemington, NJ. Barbara was also a commissioner of Tax Appeals at one time and was President of the NJ Food Council. Barbara was the recipient of the Girl Scouts of America Outstanding Woman Award.

Barbara was a legislative lobbyist for many years and was an owner of the McConnell Group which later merged with the MBI-GluckShaw Public Affairs Group in which she was a principal.

Surviving are a daughter, Terry Abigail McConnell of Bridgewater, NJ; a grandson, Morgan Roll of Manalapan, NJ; and two brothers, John Wright, M.D. Of Nashville, TN. And Joel Wright of Lebanon, TN.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2016,at 11 AM in the Amwell Church of the Brethren, Sandbrook-Headquarters Road, Delaware Township, NJ. Interment will be private. Calling hours will be Tuesday, October 25, 2016, 2:00-4:00PM and 6:00-9:00PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822, or SAFE in Hunterdon, 47 East Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822

Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information, or to send condolences.