Denise Ross, a Bergen County Democratic leader for nearly 30 years, died unexpectedly on Friday evening. She was 74.
“Denise will be remembered for her kindness and steadfast belief in community,” the Bergen County Democratic Organization said in a statement. “She leaves behind a legacy of service that will continue to inspire others for years to come.”
At the time of her passing, Ross was serving as a commissioner of the Bergen County Board of Elections.
Ross became a Rutherford councilwoman in January 2000 after Bernadette McPherson gave up her seat to become mayor. The council picked her over two other contenders, Patricia Hoffman-Goodwin and Glen Elliot, a former mayor. She won a special election in 2001 and a three-year term in 2002.
After Democrats won control of county government in 2002, Ross became the deputy chief of staff to Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney.
The longtime Rutherford Democratic municipal chair, Ross served as a director of wastewater education at the Bergen County Utilities Authority.
