Lesbian Cop In Benefits Battle Dies

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/02/021806hesterObit.htm

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.

[Zenlitened]

1. She was courageous to the end, and fought -- and won -- a battle...

... for fairness and decency. RIP, Lt. Hester. :(

[Cornus]

2. Another article...

...from her local paper: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060219/NEWS/602190397

[xchrom]

3. right to the last -- she made a positive difference to

this tired old world.

rest in peace, lieutenant.

[joeybee12]

4. Very sad, but she will be remembered...thank you to her and many

others like her to are winning the battle one step at a time. R.I.P.