Statement from Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr.

The statement below is by Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. on behalf of the Board in regard to the passing of former Waterford Township Mayor and Camden County Freeholder Laurelle A. Cummings.  

“Laurelle was a tireless public servant throughout her tenure in elected office, but that official capacity is only a fraction of the work she did by volunteering her time in our community over the last 60 years. On Aug. 17, we lost an elected official that dedicated her life to the selfless endeavor of serving the residents of Waterford Township and the county. Looking back on her life, after Laurelle graduated from Collingswood High School in 1956, she immediately started committing herself to improving her community. Whether that was with the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society or Goodwill Industries, Laurelle strived to help those less fortunate than herself in her professional life which created a perfect segue into public office.  Starting in the late 1980s, she went on to serve for nine years on the Waterford Committee before joining us on the Freeholder Board until 2004. She was the epitome of integrity and gave everything she had to building a better county for generations to come. She was a caring and smart elected official who always put people first and that will be the cornerstone of her legacy here in Camden County. The Board will be keeping the Cummings family in our thoughts and prayers while we mourn her passing.