Deborah Kean

Deborah Kean
First Lady of New Jersey
In role
January 19, 1982 – January 16, 1990
GovernorThomas Kean
Preceded byJean Byrne
Succeeded byLucinda Florio
Personal details
Born
Deborah Elizabeth Bye

(1943-05-15)May 15, 1943
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
DiedApril 24, 2020(2020-04-24) (aged 76)
Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
​
(m. 1967)​
Children
Residence(s)Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma materBennett College

Deborah Elizabeth "Debby" Kean (May 15, 1943 – April 24, 2020) was an American children's advocate. She served as the First Lady of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990 during the tenure of her husband, former Governor Thomas Kean.

Kean notably oversaw the conversion of Drumthwacket, a historic mansion in Princeton, New Jersey, into the official residence of the governor of New Jersey beginning in 1982.[1][2][3] The first lady also established the Drumthwacket Foundation, a non-profit responsible for the restoration and upkeep of Drumthwacket and its grounds.[1]

  1. ^ a b Nieto-Munoz, Sophie (2020-04-24). "Former N.J. First Lady Debby Kean dies at 76". NJ.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  2. ^ Deak, Mike (2020-04-24). "Deborah Kean, wife of former NJ Gov. Thomas Kean, dies". Bridgewater Courier News. MyCentralJersey.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  3. ^ Wildstein, David (2020-04-24). "Debby Kean, former First Lady, dies at 76". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2021-02-28.