Kathryn Payne James, the matriarch of one of New Jersey’s most prominent political families, died on December 18. She was 88.
James was the mother of former Assemblyman Craig Stanley (D-Irvington), the sister of former Assemblyman William Payne (D-Newark) and the late Rep. Donald Payne, Sr. She was also the aunt of Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-Newark).
In a Facebook post earlier this year, when James turned 88, Stanley called his mother “a phenomenal example of love grace, compassion, and sacrifice.”
“Since her mother died when they were very young, prior to starting her own family, she fought many battles for her brothers, William (Bill) Payne and the late Congressman Donald Payne, Sr. and has long been the matriarch of our family,” Stanley said. She has always been there for me and all of my siblings.”
Funeral services were held on Monday.