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Toms River, New
Jersey -- Lt. Laurel Hester died Saturday morning at her
home only weeks after winning a long battle with Ocean County
freeholders over who would get her benefits. She was 49.
Hester's longtime partner Stacie Andree was at her bedside when
she died.
Hester had been ill with cancer for some time. Until she
became too ill to work Hester was a lieutenant with the Ocean
County Prosecutor's Office. She had worked there for 23
years -- more than half her life -- and was a member of the New
Jersey Police and Firemen's Retirement System.
Although the state's five other pension systems allow its
members to pass pension benefits to domestic partners the NJPFRS
does not. Under the state's domestic partner law local
governments can transfer pension benefits.
For months Ocean County freeholders refused to allow Hester to
transfer her benefits -- amounting to about $13,000.
Knowing that she had very little time to live Hester made a
final plea from her hospital room.
Appearing weak, and breathing with the help of a machine, she
said on a video tape that she feared partner Stacie Andree would
lose the home they shared after Hester dies.
Nevertheless, freeholders refused to reopen the issue. But
following news coverage including television reports which
showed Hester's deteriorating condition, freeholders were
besieged with critical phone calls and emails.
Fearing a backlash from voters state GOP leaders from the county
held a conference call with freeholders and threatened to bring
in legislation that would amend the police and fire pension fund
to permit domestic partners to receive benefits.
Freeholders quickly agreed to reopen the case.
In a special meeting on January 25, they quickly voted to allow
the transfer of benefits. Despite her fragile condition,
and against her doctors' wishes Hester showed up at the meeting
to personally thank the politicians.
In a voice barely audible Hester thanked the freeholders saying
it "was democracy at its best."
While Ocean County politicians dithered over transferring the
benefits nearly a half dozen other municipal governments in the
state immediately changed local laws to permit the transfer of
benefits to same-sex domestic partners and the case became a
rallying point for gays and lesbians across New Jersey for full
marriage rights.
Arguments were heard earlier this week at the state Supreme
Court in a marriage equality case.
Even though Hester's death was not unexpected members of Garden
State Equality, the statewide organization that helped her in
her battle for civil rights, were in shock Saturday morning.
In a brief interview with 365Gay.com Garden State Equality
Steven Goldstein chocked up with tears as he recalled a valiant
woman.
"She was kind, caring, brilliant, charismatic and
other-directed. She was a cherished friend, life partner
and selfless partner in justice," he said.
©365Gay.com 2006
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