Mary Jo Codey

Mary Jo Codey (née Rolli; born August 14, 1955) is an American healthcare activist and former First Lady of New Jersey. She served her tenure as First Lady while her husband, Governor Richard Codey, served from November 16, 2004 to January 17, 2006.

Mary Jo Codey
First Lady of New Jersey
In role
November 15, 2004 – January 17, 2006
GovernorRichard Codey
Preceded byDina Matos
Succeeded byMary Pat Christie (2010)
First Lady of New Jersey
Acting
In role
January 12, 2002 – January 15, 2002
Preceded byPeg Bennett
Succeeded byDina Matos
Personal details
Born
Mary Jo Rolli

(1955-08-14) August 14, 1955
Glen Ridge, New Jersey, U.S.
Spouse
​
(m. 1981)​
OccupationTeacher

Early life

Codey was born Mary Jo Rolli in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, she grew up in West Orange. She attended Caldwell College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. She then earned a Master of Arts degree in elementary education, with certification as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC), from Seton Hall University.[1]

Career

Codey became First Lady upon her husband's succession to the governors office, after former Governor Jim McGreevey resigned. She continued teaching school part time during her service. As First Lady, she was known for her work in mental health, postpartum depression and breast cancer.

Personal life

She married Richard Codey in 1981.[2]

She suffered from postpartum depression following the birth of her oldest son. She said she did not get over it until a year after her son's birth. She controlled the illness with medication, which she stopped using during her second pregnancy. To combat the depression during her pregnancy she underwent electroshock therapy. She received electroshock again while suffering from breast cancer.

Codey and her family live in Roseland, New Jersey and she currently teaches at a private elementary school. She has said that while she enjoyed the opportunity to be First Lady and to advocate for causes she believed in, she was looking forward to her husband leaving office in order to return to being a private citizen.

References
  1. About Mary Jo Codey, State of New Jersey, copy of page from Internet Archive dated May 1, 2006. Accessed December 5, 2007.
  2. "Meet Mary Jo Codey".
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