Councilwoman dies after battle with breast cancer

Scotch Plains Councilwoman Rose Holdren Checchio passed away on October 21 after a four-year battle with cancer.  She was 46.

Checchio was elected in 2014 in a close race where Democrats picked up two seats on the Township Council.  She and John Del Sordi ousted incumbents Mickey Marcus and Bo Vastine, with Republican Llewelyn Jones surviving by a 100-vote margin.

“I will personally miss her advice, wit, and our Kale Salad luncheons where we discussed how to do a better job for our residents,” said Mayor Al Smith, a Republican, in a post on social media.