“The depth of sadness
is equal to the height of joy
that has been lost.”
My heart is broken, as I know so many others are, by the sudden, unimaginable loss of Hoboken City Council President and my friend, Jen Giattino at just 53 years old on November 5th. We each share in this loss, yet we all feel it in our own unique way. I know Jen’s husband, Joe, and their wonderful sons, Joe, Jack, and Alex, are at the very center of that grief. Jen’s love for them was boundless and fierce, and their love for her was just as great. I ask that we keep them in our thoughts as we, together, come to terms with this tragic loss.
Whether you knew Jen well, met her just once, saw her on TV, or simply heard about her through others, I am certain your memory of her is filled with warmth, leaving an unforgettable impression of her generosity and love for our community. Jen believed that "you can never do wrong by doing the right thing." She didn’t just say this; she lived it. She gave her heart and her hand to anyone who needed it, whether it was a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger on the street. Her kindness was effortless, her integrity unwavering, and her faith in others absolute.
It was one of my life‘s greatest honors to be asked to write her obituary. You can only imagine how long it started given all who she was, and all that I wanted to say. But in the end, it really came down to what was most important to Jen: the deep love she had, and the love we all felt, for her family, for her many friends, and for Hoboken:
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Jennifer Giattino, a treasured wife, mother, daughter, sister, community leader, and cherished friend to many. Jen’s warmth, compassion, and endless generosity left an unforgettable mark on everyone she met, and her love for her family was at the very center of her life… read more”
EVERYONE HAS A JEN STORY
Jen was everyone’s neighbor. “I have a friend…” she would say, and she always knew just the person to call in, who would help without question. Every one of your memories, your stories, no matter how big or small, holds a place in our community's grief. If you haven’t had the chance, I encourage you to read the messages already written on her tribute wall, where her impact is shared in every heartfelt post. Share your story there, so we can all read it during this time.
Just as importantly, please send your stories to [email protected] (click to send). It can be as short as a quick email, or as long as a chapter in a book. A group of Jen's close friends are gathering these memories, while they are still fresh and raw, to honor Jen’s legacy and share with her family and our community in the future:
“If you have a story about Jen—something she did for you, the community, or your family—we would love to hear from you. We all know that she did so much for so many, and we want her family and the generations that follow to appreciate the profound impact she made on others.” Be part of Jen’s final story.
MY JEN STORY
Jen became one of my closest and dearest friends—an extension of my day and my life. She had an enormous impact on the person I am today, making public service central to who I am, and making me see Hoboken through her eyes. I am forever grateful and blessed to have met her and honored to have become close with her and her family.
I know I am her most visible friend in our community, and I carry that responsibility with both pride and sorrow, receiving the condolences, stories, hugs, and memories from so many who loved her and cared for us both. I cherish each of these gestures more than you can imagine. Jen has many friends who are grieving just as deeply, if not more and we have already begun talking about coming together—all of Jen’s closest friends—ensuring no one is left behind, so that her spirit lives on within us and is honored in the way she deserves.
My story with Jen began in 2014 when I first met her to seek her support for my appointment to the zoning board. She looked me squarely in the eye and said, “I’m OK with a large commercial building on the Rockefeller site and don’t give a shit if you’re not.” She led with that strong position, but her message wasn’t about the size of the building. It was about Hoboken’s future—as it always was - the importance of having a commercial building instead of a residential one to support our economy, contribute to our tax base, and create a place for people to work locally. She schooled me that day, and she never stopped.
Jen was the G.O.A.T. of City Council, the foundation of my public service, and my partner in advocacy. We were sounding boards for each other, protectors, and trusted allies in the fight for good government, transparency, and reform. Jen’s goodness, integrity, and commitment to our neighbors—especially our most vulnerable—remain my inspiration in all that I do. She will always be by my side, even now.
But I will miss her friendship the most. Her 10 p.m. texts simply asking, “up?” leading to late-night talks about our families, Hoboken, and, of course, politics. We shared much laughter and even a few tears over the years—turning 50, caring for each other’s beloved dogs—her Jane, my Brownie—when we were away...
And, of course, one of her favorite stories about me being mistaken for her mother, which she loved to tell and laugh about (though it was less funny to me…haha). I was so honored when she asked me to teach her oldest, Joey, to drive, even though I led him across the Holland Tunnel lanes to Jersey City on his first time out. I still have the red patch on my license plate that Jen added that I only later learned meant the driver was a permit holder.
Our many meals and drinks at Tosti, Alessio’s, Moran’s, Court Street, Madison, the Malibu Diner, and other favorite spots with friends are now some of my most precious memories. There was no one more supportive of our local businesses. Then there were the endless elections we ran side by side, working tirelessly to elect ourselves and those we felt would best represent Hoboken. Those were some of our most passionate times together, united in our vision for this community.
I am especially grateful for an extended family I will forever cherish: Her Aunt Mary “by blood” that is now my Aunt Mary “by choice,” I’ve told her mom of my plans to keep her close, and I’ve let Joe know I couldn’t let go of their family if I tried.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
In the new year, after some time has passed and we are on the path to healing, we will find the perfect way to honor Jen’s memory. Whether it’s renaming Hoboken to “Jen City” or choosing something a bit more humble, it will be a tribute that captures the indelible mark she has left on our community.
As for her seat on the City Council, by statute, the Council must make an appointment by December 5th; otherwise, the seat will remain open until a special election next November. The appointee would serve for just one year, until that election. Jen’s husband Joe asked me who we might choose, and I half-jokingly said, “Some people think you’d be the best person to honor her legacy in that role.” He didn’t say yes, but he also didn’t say no. Whoever does step into the seat Jen leaves behind will never be able to fill her large shoes, but we will help them try.
We have a City Council meeting on November 18th, but I am asking my colleagues to wait until the December 4th meeting to make any recommendations. This will give us all a bit more time to reflect and heal as we consider who will continue her work.
For those in the 6th Ward, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me—I’ll be here for you, as I know Jen would want me to be, and will do everything I can to help carry forward her work. And if you know of someone Jen was quietly helping, someone who may not be on our radar, please let me know. She did so much for so many, never seeking recognition, and we want to make sure that no one she touched is left behind.
FUNERAL DETAILS
- Viewing: Today (Monday, 11/11), from 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Lawton-Turso Funeral Home, 633 Washington St.
- Funeral Mass: Wednesday, 11/13, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter & Paul Church.
- In lieu of flowers: The family has requested donations to charities that were close to Jen’s heart, focusing on homelessness: Family Promise of Hudson County, Hoboken Homeless Shelter, and Garden State CDC. In her legacy, we can make a lasting difference.
- Community Vigil: In collaboration with Ruben, Joe, and Jen's friends, and with the support of Mayor Bhalla and the City, we are planning a public vigil in the coming days to honor Jen’s life and contributions to Hoboken.
In my last call with Jen on Monday, among other things, she told me stories from her recent trip to Japan with her Aunt Mary and how she and Joe had climbed mountains together—always sharing beautiful memories with her family. Our last email that day was about a resolution for the upcoming City Council meeting, focused on improving transparency. Even then, she was thinking about what was best for our community, committed to making Hoboken better for all of us. And in our last text exchange that afternoon, I sent her a screenshot, teasing her that her “out of office” message was still on for her emails (after 10 days home). She replied, with that touch of humor I’ll always remember:
Jen’s passing is a loss beyond words, but her love and legacy will continue in all of us who had the privilege of knowing her. I am deeply grateful for the love and support of my family, friends, and community who have reached out, shared a story, or offered a comforting hug. Every message has been appreciated, reminding me of how cherished Jen was by this community she loved so deeply. And how much I am loved as well. Thank you to everyone who has shown such kindness during this time.
If Jen were here, she would be attending the Veteran's day service at 11am at Elysian Park. Veterans were always close to her heart. She co-founded the American Legion Auxiliary with me and others. And she has always fought for building the housing for homeless veterans at our American Legion Post 107. I will be at the event along with Jen's mom and our Aunt Mary. I hope you can join us.
As always, please share this with everyone you know who may be interested and reach out any time on any issue important to you: 201-208-1764 or [email protected]. Godspeed Jen. Your memories will always be blessings to all of us who loved you.
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