From my email a short time ago:
(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.
Many Kossacks joined in the fight to ensure that Hester's longtime partner, Stacie, would be able to have the same rights of survivorship as married heterosexuals.
That courageous battle was won, and in effect caused other counties in NJ to reexamine their own DP benefits to ensure LGBT employees were treated fairly and equally.
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 choked 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.
Thank you, Lt. Hester, for the courageous fight you put on for fairness and equality for all New Jerseyians. You were an accidental activist but you changed the way thousands will be treated in the future.
May you rest in peace.