Teaneck Mayor Lizette Parker, 44, dies; flags fly at half staff

Flags in Teaneck will fly at half staff as the community mourns the death of Mayor Lizette Parker, who died Sunday morning at the age of 44.

William Broughton, Teaneck's township manager, made the announcement on the township's website Sunday.

"It is with deep regret, sadness, and heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of Teaneck Township Mayor Lizette P. Parker. Mayor Parker passed away this morning after being taken to Holy Name Medical Center for respiratory issues," Broughton said in a statement on the web page.

According to NorthJersey.com, Parker was Teaneck's first black mayor. She had been suffering from an illness that had prevented her from attending meetings in the municipality, according to the article.

Parker, who was elected to the Township Council in 2006, is survived by her husband of 17 years, Anthony and their daughter, Alyssa, as well as her mother, according to NorthJersey.com.

"The Teaneck Township Council, Township Manager and employees would like to express their deepest and most sincere condolences to the Parker family," the township's website states. "Mayor Parker was a strong leader, public advocate and a consummate professional, who was greatly respected by her colleagues and the community. Her love, presences and sincerity will be sorely missed in Township government and in the community."

The township manager said in the online statement that Teaneck’s Deputy Mayor Elie Y. Katz will assume the duties of mayor, effective immediately. He also said "all flags will fly at half-staff to honor our beloved Mayor Lizette P. Parker."

As word spread about the mayor's death, condolences surfaced on social media.

Funeral arrangements for Parker are expected to be announced in the coming days, according to the township manager.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.