FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elissa Ruffino., 202-939-3106, elissa@niaf.org

Attributed to NIAF Chairman Joseph V. Del Raso and NIAF President John M. Viola

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 15, 2016) “On behalf of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Board of Directors, we are deeply saddened by the passing of the Foundation’s Executive Vice President, the Honorable Marie L. Garibaldi. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Garibaldi family. Judge Garibaldi died at the age of 81 in Hackensack, New Jersey on January 15, 2016.

“A proud daughter of Italian immigrants whose parents emigrated from the region of Liguria, Marie leaves a legacy for all women and Italian Americans in the legal profession. She was the first woman to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court, the state’s highest court, and wrote the majority opinion in several cases affecting women. She was also the first woman to serve as president of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

“As a trailblazer and pioneer, Marie was deeply committed to the Italian American community. She served as a distinguished member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2000, and held several leadership roles as a former chairwoman of the Foundation’s Education and Grants Committee, and its executive vice president.

“Her devotion and passion to Italian Americans was unquestionable. She exuded unending energy, intellectual rigor and dignity in everything she did.

“Her indelible legacy will be long remembered with the greatest affection and admiration. Marie will be deeply missed by our NIAF family.”