Funeral services for Superior Court Judge Lisa Thornton will be held at 11 AM on Saturday at the Second Baptist Church in Long Branch and streamed on the Damiano Funeral Home website.
Thornton, a judge for the last fifteen years and the assignment judge in Monmouth County, died on May 26 She was 59.
Gov. Phil Murphy had directed the flags in New Jersey be flown at half-staff today in honor of Thornton, a respected jurist, former assistant counsel to Gov. Jon Corzine, and the first Black woman to serve as an assignment judge.
“For more than two decades, the State of New Jersey and its local communities benefited tremendously from Judge Thornton’s dedicated public service and legal acumen,” said Murphy. “As the first Black woman to serve as an Assignment Judge in New Jersey history, she will be remembered not only as a talented judge but as an inspiring trailblazer in her field. It is with great sadness that we mourn Judge Thornton‘s passing and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family, friends, and colleagues.”
A visitation is set for Friday from 4-7 PM at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, and tomorrow from 10-11 AM at the Second Baptist Church at 93 Liberty Street.