In Memory of

Caren Sue Franzini

February 17, 1959 - January 25, 2017

Obituary

Caren Franzini, who served as Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) for over 18 years, died Wednesday at her home in Lambertville, N. J. She was 57.

Ms. Franzini headed the NJEDA from January 1994 to October 2012, working with seven consecutive New Jersey governors. The NJEDA provides financing to small and mid-sized businesses, administering tax incentives to retain and grow jobs, revitalizing communities through redevelopment initiatives, and supporting entrepreneurial development. She joined the NJEDA in March 1991 as Deputy Director. After her tenure at the NJEDA, Ms. Franzini became President of Franzini Consulting, working with businesses and economic development agencies.

Prior to joining the EDA, Ms. Franzini was an Assistant State Treasurer with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. Before that, she was employed in the Finance Division of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and with Public Financial Management.

Caren Sue Raphel was born Feb. 17, 1959 in Atlantic City, N. J. Her parents, Ruth and Murray Raphel, were the owners with her aunt and uncle, Shirley and Milton Gordon, of Gordon's Alley, New Jersey's first pedestrian mall, located in downtown Atlantic City. Ms. Franzini received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance and Public Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Franzini is survived by her husband, John Franzini, three children, Anna, Sam, and Sarah, her parents, sister Paula Crowley, and brother Neil Raphel.

Funeral services are Friday, January 27 at 1PM at Adath Israel Congregation, 1958 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ. A private burial service will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Lambertville, NJ. Following the synagogue service and again on Saturday at 6PM, relatives and friends are invited to a memorial gathering at Kehilat HaNahar, 85 W Mechanic Street, New Hope, PA. The family respectfully requests memorial contributions to the New Jersey Tree Foundation, the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County.

Funeral arrangements are by Orland's Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township.

Published in Courier-Post on Jan. 27, 2017