Former Cherry Hill councilwoman Joyce Walker wasn’t one to stand on the sidelines.
During the township’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, former mayor Susan Bass Levin shared some words about Walker, and then asked everyone to make some noise, because that was exactly what Walker would have done.
Walker died on Dec. 28 at the age of 61 after a battle with cancer. Even in her final months, she was very involved with the township and continued to serve as chair of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
Walker also served as the co-chair of the local Democratic committee and was instrumental in helping the ticket of David Fleisher, Jim Bannar, Susan Shin Angulo and Carole Roskoph campaign and win the election last November, officials said.
“As co-chair of the Cherry Hill Democratic Party, she was critical to organizing and motivating voters to support the team,” Fleisher said.
Fleisher was a close friend of Walker, with the pair serving as president and vice president of the council, respectively, from 2002 through 2005.
Walker was the first African- American councilwoman in Cherry Hill history, but Fleisher said her influence on the township goes far beyond that.
“She broke barriers, but never wore it on her sleeve,” Fleisher said. “For her, she was always measured by her confidence and effectiveness as a leader.”
Walker’s effectiveness as a leader particularly showed during the construction of the Cherry Hill Public Library.
“There was a period where the future of the new Cherry Hill Library was in question,” Fleisher said. “She was a leader in making sure that the project got finished.”
Fleisher said personal ambition or gain was not Walker’s goal. This was evident during last year’s council election.
In her speech after being sworn onto council for the first time on Jan. 2, Roskoph said it was Walker’s encouragement that motivated her to run for office and join the Democratic ticket.
“She just wanted to be in a position to make a difference,” Fleisher said. “It didn’t matter if it was an official capacity.”
Some of Walker’s accomplishments included founding Cherry Hill’s Economic Development Council. She also served on the planning board.
Within her own party, Walker served as a delegate for the 2012 Democratic National Convention and organized Obama for America when the current president was first running for the office in 2008.
Walker’s impact in the town has not gone unnoticed in recent months, either. On Nov. 5, Mayor Chuck Cahn proclaimed it to be Joyce Alexander Walker Day in her honor.
“I never saw Joyce without a smile on her face,” Cahn said in a statement. “Her warmth, generosity and zest for life and action were infectious. She inspired everyone who knew her, and that is how I will forever remember her.”
Soon, another honor will be bestowed on Walker. The library is planning to name the multicultural room after her. Levin announced it during Walker’s funeral service on Jan. 3. A ceremony will be held sometime in the spring.
Fleisher described Walker’s service as a “beautiful tribute,” but ackowledged that he was very sad to see her go.
“She and I were very close friends,” he said. “She will be missed.”
