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She was born to Dolores-Ann Phillips and Lawrence Phillips on Aug. 31, 1971 at Harlem Hospital in New York City. She became a resident of Teaneck at age 3. She graduated from Teaneck High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University and her master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She began her career in public service as a social worker and served as a social work administrator for the Bergen County Board of Social Services. In addition, she was an active member in the Communications Workers of America.
Elected in July 2006 to the Teaneck Council, she held the distinct status of being the first African-American woman elected Teaneck mayor in 2014. She advocated and demonstrated a high level of commitment by addressing issues pertinent to family, youth and children in her community, such as poverty, housing, health care, cultural awareness/diversity, quality of life, job training, education, violence, LGBTQ and youth development.
During her tenure, she received awards/honors from Girl Scouts of America, Greater Bergen Community Action Plan, NAACP, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Teaneck Chamber of Commerce, Teaneck Rotary Club and the Urban League.
She was a longtime member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack.
She is survived by her husband, Anthony Parker; daughter, Alyssa Parker; mother, Dolores-Ann Phillips; brothers, Lawrence Phillips II and Timothy Arline; grandmother, Irma Allen; uncles, Winston Phillips and Patrick Phillips; aunts, Eleanor Phillips, Florine Phillips, Rita Jackson and Lorraine Nibbs; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and associates that span from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to the United States.
Her father predeceased her in 1988.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack with Pastor Gregory Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.
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