Right Hand Michele Batista has many memories of the late Lillian Burry, both regarding her dedication as a councilwoman, later Mayor of Colts Neck, and as freeholder/ commissioner for Monmouth County. But Michele, who has served for many years on the Friends of the Colts Neck Library, also has high praise for both Lillian and her husband, Don, for their long-time efforts in establishing and maintaining the Colts Neck Branch of the Monmouth County Library system.
Michele recalls that Donald Burry was Finance Chairman and a contributing member of the Construction Committee when donations were so generous and the community was so involved in the prospect of having its own library building. It was Mayor Lillian Burry who obtained a $100,000 grant from the state and a $35,000 donation from the County. It was the late Brenda Johnson along with the Honorable Lillian Burry who designed the interior of the Library.
In addition to her interactions with the late freeholder in a variety of areas, Batista was also office manager of Mrs. Burry’s own business, Colts Neck Realty, located on Route 537 in Colts Neck. It is because of all these memories that Michele wrote:
Lillian Burry was the queen of public servants at the town and county levels, as her principles were above par. Lillian was a role model for anyone looking to enter the political world where many sought her advice and some gained office on her coattails.
I started working for Lillian back in 2016, and witnessed a woman whose determination made things happen in Monmouth County. “No” was not an acceptable word in her vocabulary, as her list of accomplishments is lengthy. The plaque at Route 537 East before Route 34 now denotes Lillian’s epitaph, “A Persistence of Vision”.
I was honored to have her support for the Friends of the Colts Neck Library where she was instrumental in securing donations and helped design the library interior from its inception. Lillian always presented the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month proclamation with my Red Bank Gastro advocates, Dr Hampel and Nurse Woodward to raise awareness about the importance of being screened. Lillian was a sounding board for which I will forever be grateful for her advice and being included in her sphere of influence!
Rest in peace Boss.
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