JCU Community Mourns Passing of Beloved Trustee Marie L. Garibaldi

Hon. Marie L. Garibaldi

President Franco Pavoncello and the entire JCU Community join Chairman Frank Guarini and the Board of Trustees in mourning the passing of our beloved Trustee, the Hon. Marie L. Garibaldi.

“Marie was a lady of exquisite intelligence, kindness and compassion. She loved John Cabot University, and her support was an inspiration for all of us. She will be missed by all those who knew her,” said President Pavoncello.

Marie L. Garibaldi, who was born in 1934, was a highly esteemed judge who made history as the first woman to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court. She was also the first woman to serve as President of the New Jersey State Bar Association. A longtime New Jersey resident, Garibaldi broke barriers for women over a 40-year career that began when female lawyers were still a novelty. By the time she stepped down from the Supreme Court in 2000, Garibaldi had become one of the state’s most revered and consequential figures in the law.

Chairman Frank J. Guarini, a dear friend of Marie for many years wrote: “I am deeply saddened to inform you that Marie Garibaldi passed away on Friday, January 15. She earned the highest admiration for her numerous outstanding achievements and the many lives that she touched. Marie believed wholeheartedly in the importance of education and our mission at John Cabot University. Her life was remarkable and will long be remembered. She indeed made the world a better place because of her caring, intellect, and deep convictions. She will be sorely missed by her legions of friends and long appreciated for all her good works.”