BEDMINSTER – Deborah (Debby) Bye Kean, wife of former New Jersey Gov. Thomas H. Kean, died peacefully at home Thursday evening. She would have turned 77 years old on May 15.
Mrs. Kean was born in Wilmington, Delaware, the only child of the late Elizabeth Griffenberg Bye and Robert Bye, a corporate executive. She was a graduate of the Tower Hill School in Wilmington and Bennett College in Millbrook, New York.
She married the future governor on June 3, 1967.
As New Jersey's first lady, Mrs. Kean was noted for the renovation of the governor's mansion at Drumthwacket in Princeton.
When her husband became governor in 1982, New Jersey did not have a governor's mansion, as the previous site Morven, also in Princeton, was given to the New Jersey Historical Society to use as its headquarters.
The new site was filled with old and tired furniture. Mrs. Kean knew that New Jersey's governor's mansion should be second-to-none, so she formed a foundation, encouraged donations and soon bought wonderful antique furniture which is still admired today.
Mrs. Kean had said New Jersey deserves a governor's mansion as good as any other state, and she made that happen.
When she saw a wrong, she tried to right it. When Mrs. Kean discovered that many state employees were struggling because of a lack of day care available for their children, she lobbied until the funds were received to establish several day care centers. The largest center still bears her name, The Deborah B. Kean Childcare Center.
Though Mrs. Kean was a vigorous campaigner for her husband, she remained focused on raising her family.
"You don't seen the mailman, the plumber, the UPS driver bring their wives to work,'' she was quoted in "Governor Tom Kean: From the New Jersey Statehouse to the 911 Commission,'' by author Al Felzenberg. "They are out doing their jobs leaving their wives at home and I will stay at home doing mine."
Outside of her official functions, Mrs. Kean was known for her warm disposition and quick wit. An avid reader, she was a lifetime enthusiast of the performing and visual arts, avocations she shared with her husband.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kean is survived by her sons, state Sen. Thomas H. Kean Jr. of Westfield; Reed Kean of Chatham, a business executive; a daughter, Alexandra Kean Strong of Duxbury, Massachusetts, an educator; and seven grandchildren.
"My family is thankful for all of your prayers and kind words," Thomas J. Kean Jr. tweeted on Friday.
"Throughout Gov. Kean's administration, she remained a strong presence," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. "Ever mindful of the inherent challenges of a sitting governor, First Lady Kean supported her husband and ensured he also focused on his most lasting legacy of personal family. We are keeping Gov. Kean, a dear friend and mentor, in our family's prayers at this time, as well as Tom Jr., Alexandra, and Reed, and their families."
"I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Gov. Tom Kean, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr., my friend and colleague, and to the entire Kean family on the passing of Debbie Kean," Senate President Steve Sweeney said in a statement. "Debbie Kean was a model of quiet dignity as first lady who was instrumental in the success of former Gov. Kean as one of New Jersey's most popular leaders and admired statesmen. I know that she gained her most cherished satisfaction as a wife, mother and grandmother. Debbie Kean enriched the lives of her family, her friends and the people of New Jersey. Her passing is a loss for all of us."
"I want to extend my condolences to the Kean family on the passing of Debbie Kean," Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said. "As a mother, grandmother and one of New Jersey's first ladies, she dedicated her life to supporting both her family and this state"
In a statement Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, who serves in the same district as her son, said, "New Jersey today mourns the loss of its beloved first lady, Debbie Kean. She was a woman of great character, demonstrated integrity and humility. My prayers go out to the Kean family."
"I am very sorry to hear of the passing of former First Lady Deborah Kean," U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez said. "I know that she shared Gov. Kean's unwavering commitment to our great state and the millions of families who live, work and call it home."
Mrs. Kean was born in Wilmington, Delaware, the only child of the late Elizabeth Griffenberg Bye and Robert Bye, a corporate executive. She was a graduate of the Tower Hill School in Wilmington and Bennett College in Millbrook, New York.
She married the future governor on June 3, 1967.
As New Jersey's first lady, Mrs. Kean was noted for the renovation of the governor's mansion at Drumthwacket in Princeton.
When her husband became governor in 1982, New Jersey did not have a governor's mansion, as the previous site Morven, also in Princeton, was given to the New Jersey Historical Society to use as its headquarters.
The new site was filled with old and tired furniture. Mrs. Kean knew that New Jersey's governor's mansion should be second-to-none, so she formed a foundation, encouraged donations and soon bought wonderful antique furniture which is still admired today.
Mrs. Kean had said New Jersey deserves a governor's mansion as good as any other state, and she made that happen.
When she saw a wrong, she tried to right it. When Mrs. Kean discovered that many state employees were struggling because of a lack of day care available for their children, she lobbied until the funds were received to establish several day care centers. The largest center still bears her name, The Deborah B. Kean Childcare Center.
Though Mrs. Kean was a vigorous campaigner for her husband, she remained focused on raising her family.
"You don't seen the mailman, the plumber, the UPS driver bring their wives to work,'' she was quoted in "Governor Tom Kean: From the New Jersey Statehouse to the 911 Commission,'' by author Al Felzenberg. "They are out doing their jobs leaving their wives at home and I will stay at home doing mine."
Outside of her official functions, Mrs. Kean was known for her warm disposition and quick wit. An avid reader, she was a lifetime enthusiast of the performing and visual arts, avocations she shared with her husband.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kean is survived by her sons, state Sen. Thomas H. Kean Jr. of Westfield; Reed Kean of Chatham, a business executive; a daughter, Alexandra Kean Strong of Duxbury, Massachusetts, an educator; and seven grandchildren.
"My family is thankful for all of your prayers and kind words," Thomas J. Kean Jr. tweeted on Friday.
"Throughout Gov. Kean's administration, she remained a strong presence," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. "Ever mindful of the inherent challenges of a sitting governor, First Lady Kean supported her husband and ensured he also focused on his most lasting legacy of personal family. We are keeping Gov. Kean, a dear friend and mentor, in our family's prayers at this time, as well as Tom Jr., Alexandra, and Reed, and their families."
"I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Gov. Tom Kean, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr., my friend and colleague, and to the entire Kean family on the passing of Debbie Kean," Senate President Steve Sweeney said in a statement. "Debbie Kean was a model of quiet dignity as first lady who was instrumental in the success of former Gov. Kean as one of New Jersey's most popular leaders and admired statesmen. I know that she gained her most cherished satisfaction as a wife, mother and grandmother. Debbie Kean enriched the lives of her family, her friends and the people of New Jersey. Her passing is a loss for all of us."
"I want to extend my condolences to the Kean family on the passing of Debbie Kean," Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said. "As a mother, grandmother and one of New Jersey's first ladies, she dedicated her life to supporting both her family and this state"
In a statement Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, who serves in the same district as her son, said, "New Jersey today mourns the loss of its beloved first lady, Debbie Kean. She was a woman of great character, demonstrated integrity and humility. My prayers go out to the Kean family."
"I am very sorry to hear of the passing of former First Lady Deborah Kean," U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez said. "I know that she shared Gov. Kean's unwavering commitment to our great state and the millions of families who live, work and call it home."
BEDMINSTER – Deborah (Debby) Bye Kean, wife of former New Jersey Gov. Thomas H. Kean, died peacefully at home Thursday evening. She would have turned 77 years old on May 15.
Mrs. Kean was born in Wilmington, Delaware, the only child of the late Elizabeth Griffenberg Bye and Robert Bye, a corporate executive. She was a graduate of the Tower Hill School in Wilmington and Bennett College in Millbrook, New York.
She married the future governor on June 3, 1967.
As New Jersey's first lady, Mrs. Kean was noted for the renovation of the governor's mansion at Drumthwacket in Princeton.
When her husband became governor in 1982, New Jersey did not have a governor's mansion, as the previous site Morven, also in Princeton, was given to the New Jersey Historical Society to use as its headquarters.
The new site was filled with old and tired furniture. Mrs. Kean knew that New Jersey's governor's mansion should be second-to-none, so she formed a foundation, encouraged donations and soon bought wonderful antique furniture which is still admired today.
Mrs. Kean had said New Jersey deserves a governor's mansion as good as any other state, and she made that happen.
When she saw a wrong, she tried to right it. When Mrs. Kean discovered that many state employees were struggling because of a lack of day care available for their children, she lobbied until the funds were received to establish several day care centers. The largest center still bears her name, The Deborah B. Kean Childcare Center.
Though Mrs. Kean was a vigorous campaigner for her husband, she remained focused on raising her family.
"You don't seen the mailman, the plumber, the UPS driver bring their wives to work,'' she was quoted in "Governor Tom Kean: From the New Jersey Statehouse to the 911 Commission,'' by author Al Felzenberg. "They are out doing their jobs leaving their wives at home and I will stay at home doing mine."
Outside of her official functions, Mrs. Kean was known for her warm disposition and quick wit. An avid reader, she was a lifetime enthusiast of the performing and visual arts, avocations she shared with her husband.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kean is survived by her sons, state Sen. Thomas H. Kean Jr. of Westfield; Reed Kean of Chatham, a business executive; a daughter, Alexandra Kean Strong of Duxbury, Massachusetts, an educator; and seven grandchildren.
"My family is thankful for all of your prayers and kind words," Thomas J. Kean Jr. tweeted on Friday.
"Throughout Gov. Kean's administration, she remained a strong presence," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. "Ever mindful of the inherent challenges of a sitting governor, First Lady Kean supported her husband and ensured he also focused on his most lasting legacy of personal family. We are keeping Gov. Kean, a dear friend and mentor, in our family's prayers at this time, as well as Tom Jr., Alexandra, and Reed, and their families."
"I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Gov. Tom Kean, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr., my friend and colleague, and to the entire Kean family on the passing of Debbie Kean," Senate President Steve Sweeney said in a statement. "Debbie Kean was a model of quiet dignity as first lady who was instrumental in the success of former Gov. Kean as one of New Jersey's most popular leaders and admired statesmen. I know that she gained her most cherished satisfaction as a wife, mother and grandmother. Debbie Kean enriched the lives of her family, her friends and the people of New Jersey. Her passing is a loss for all of us."
"I want to extend my condolences to the Kean family on the passing of Debbie Kean," Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said. "As a mother, grandmother and one of New Jersey's first ladies, she dedicated her life to supporting both her family and this state"
In a statement Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, who serves in the same district as her son, said, "New Jersey today mourns the loss of its beloved first lady, Debbie Kean. She was a woman of great character, demonstrated integrity and humility. My prayers go out to the Kean family."
"I am very sorry to hear of the passing of former First Lady Deborah Kean," U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez said. "I know that she shared Gov. Kean's unwavering commitment to our great state and the millions of families who live, work and call it home."
Mrs. Kean was born in Wilmington, Delaware, the only child of the late Elizabeth Griffenberg Bye and Robert Bye, a corporate executive. She was a graduate of the Tower Hill School in Wilmington and Bennett College in Millbrook, New York.
She married the future governor on June 3, 1967.
As New Jersey's first lady, Mrs. Kean was noted for the renovation of the governor's mansion at Drumthwacket in Princeton.
When her husband became governor in 1982, New Jersey did not have a governor's mansion, as the previous site Morven, also in Princeton, was given to the New Jersey Historical Society to use as its headquarters.
The new site was filled with old and tired furniture. Mrs. Kean knew that New Jersey's governor's mansion should be second-to-none, so she formed a foundation, encouraged donations and soon bought wonderful antique furniture which is still admired today.
Mrs. Kean had said New Jersey deserves a governor's mansion as good as any other state, and she made that happen.
When she saw a wrong, she tried to right it. When Mrs. Kean discovered that many state employees were struggling because of a lack of day care available for their children, she lobbied until the funds were received to establish several day care centers. The largest center still bears her name, The Deborah B. Kean Childcare Center.
Though Mrs. Kean was a vigorous campaigner for her husband, she remained focused on raising her family.
"You don't seen the mailman, the plumber, the UPS driver bring their wives to work,'' she was quoted in "Governor Tom Kean: From the New Jersey Statehouse to the 911 Commission,'' by author Al Felzenberg. "They are out doing their jobs leaving their wives at home and I will stay at home doing mine."
Outside of her official functions, Mrs. Kean was known for her warm disposition and quick wit. An avid reader, she was a lifetime enthusiast of the performing and visual arts, avocations she shared with her husband.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kean is survived by her sons, state Sen. Thomas H. Kean Jr. of Westfield; Reed Kean of Chatham, a business executive; a daughter, Alexandra Kean Strong of Duxbury, Massachusetts, an educator; and seven grandchildren.
"My family is thankful for all of your prayers and kind words," Thomas J. Kean Jr. tweeted on Friday.
"Throughout Gov. Kean's administration, she remained a strong presence," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. "Ever mindful of the inherent challenges of a sitting governor, First Lady Kean supported her husband and ensured he also focused on his most lasting legacy of personal family. We are keeping Gov. Kean, a dear friend and mentor, in our family's prayers at this time, as well as Tom Jr., Alexandra, and Reed, and their families."
"I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Gov. Tom Kean, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr., my friend and colleague, and to the entire Kean family on the passing of Debbie Kean," Senate President Steve Sweeney said in a statement. "Debbie Kean was a model of quiet dignity as first lady who was instrumental in the success of former Gov. Kean as one of New Jersey's most popular leaders and admired statesmen. I know that she gained her most cherished satisfaction as a wife, mother and grandmother. Debbie Kean enriched the lives of her family, her friends and the people of New Jersey. Her passing is a loss for all of us."
"I want to extend my condolences to the Kean family on the passing of Debbie Kean," Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said. "As a mother, grandmother and one of New Jersey's first ladies, she dedicated her life to supporting both her family and this state"
In a statement Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, who serves in the same district as her son, said, "New Jersey today mourns the loss of its beloved first lady, Debbie Kean. She was a woman of great character, demonstrated integrity and humility. My prayers go out to the Kean family."
"I am very sorry to hear of the passing of former First Lady Deborah Kean," U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez said. "I know that she shared Gov. Kean's unwavering commitment to our great state and the millions of families who live, work and call it home."
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WIFE OF
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DAUGHTER OF
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