COLTS NECK, NJ — Lillian G. Burry, a trailblazing Monmouth County leader and the first woman to serve as Director of the Board of County Commissioners, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 28. She was 89.
Burry, a former County Commissioner and dedicated public servant for more than five decades, leaves behind a legacy of civic leadership that stretched from local government to national appointments. A longtime Colts Neck resident, she was widely respected for her work in historic preservation, open space conservation, veterans affairs, and economic development.
Born in New York City in 1936, Burry graduated cum laude from Wagner College with a degree in Political Science and History. She entered public service in Matawan Borough before moving to Colts Neck, where she held roles as Committeewoman, Deputy Mayor, and Mayor. Her early accomplishments included negotiating the symbolic $1 purchase of the historic Montrose schoolhouse to preserve it for the public.
Elected to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2005, Burry was reelected five times and continued her service after the Board’s renaming to County Commissioners. She became the first woman to serve as Director in 2008 and held the title again in 2010, 2014, and 2017. During her tenure, she acted as liaison to the Board of Elections, Planning Board, Agricultural Board, and Consumer Affairs.
Burry held appointments to the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority and served on various subcommittees focused on veterans and real estate development. In addition to her political service, she was a broker and owner of Colts Neck Realty for over 40 years.
She received numerous awards recognizing her leadership, including the Marine Corps League Distinguished Citizen Award, NJ Women of Achievement Award, Girl Scouts Women of Distinction honor, and the Count Basie Vanguard Award. She was also honored with a Veterans Community Wing named in her honor in 2023.
Burry is survived by her husband of 70 years, retired Coast Guard Captain Donald L. Burry, her daughter Lenore Manicioto and son-in-law Robert Burns, her sister Alba DiBello, grandchildren Stephanie and Vito, and great-grandchildren Luca, Lorenzo, and Rocco.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Holmdel Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place Tuesday, September 9 at 11 a.m. at Colts Neck Reformed Church, followed by burial at Atlantic Cemetery in Colts Neck.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Colts Neck Reformed Church.
Key Points
- Former County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry passed away August 28 at the age of 89
- She served Monmouth County for over 50 years, including multiple terms as Director
- Funeral services will be held September 8–9 in Colts Neck
Lillian G. Burry’s decades of service shaped Monmouth County and left a lasting legacy in public life.
