President and CEO of the Urban League of Hudson County Elnora Watson was not only a pillar to the North Jersey chapter of the organization but also a community leader. She died June 19 of illness in her home at age 67.
Friends and family celebrated her life on Thursday at her funeral at Monumental Baptist Church in Jersey City.
Serving as leader of the ULHC since 1989, Watson is being called by those who knew her “the backbone of the community.”
Originally from Jersey City, during her nearly 40 years with the ULHC she was able to raise the organization’s budget from $300,000 to $8 million. ULHC offers services such as job training, childcare and youth programs. Watson implemented many of the programs.
“Elnora’s life embodied what it means to be a community leader,” Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said in a statement. “Elnora never stopped or succumbed to a challenge and was a steadfast champion for all those needed one.”
Watson is survived by her son, John Watson, daughters, Robin Sharpe and Alima Watson-Perry, and grandchildren.
