Joyce Alexander Walker Remembered for Passion, Professionalism

David Fleisher remembers well the controversy that spilled over when two-time councilwoman and then-council Vice President Joyce Alexander Walker wasn’t asked back to be a part of the Cherry Hill Democratic ticket in 2005.

He remembers even more how she reacted in the wake of that decision.

“For most others, that would've been the end,” said Fleisher, who stepped down in protest of the decision. “For her, that was just a new beginning.”

She would go on to become co-chair of the local Democratic Party, get elected to and become the chairwoman of the Board of Fire Commissioners and get involved in regional efforts for President Barack Obama—including becoming a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2012.

Walker, who was also notably Cherry Hill’s first-ever black councilwoman, died Saturday after battling cancer.

Fleisher lost more than a colleague in Walker—he lost a friend.

Despite coming from different backgrounds—Walker grew up in East Orange and eventually made her way to Cherry Hill via Princeton and Rutgers—and there being an age gap, Fleisher said there was a close connection between them, a relationship built on mutual respect.

“Everything on paper may have told you that we would not be likely friends,” Fleisher said. “We just clicked and loved doing what we were doing for the community.”

Fleisher called her a “wonderful, warm person,” who was direct, yet caring.

“She was just the type of friend who you could always count on,” he said. “She always told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear.”

On the political side, Walker’s ability to take a firm stance on an issue, yet still maintain a professional relationship, even with her opponents, set her apart, Fleisher said.

“She was just passionate, principled and although very determined, she was always respectful and civil,” he said. “We often spoke about and acted upon our beliefs that you can disagree without being disagreeable.”

Mayor Chuck Cahn echoed those sentiments, calling Walker an inspiring figure who always had his respect and admiration.

“She was a champion for women, a fierce advocate for the underprivileged and worked passionately to promote peace, equality and unity,” he said. “Her passing is a loss for all of us.”

But Walker’s service went beyond the offices she held, Fleisher said—she strove to make every voice heard and every vote counted.

“Few people in public and community service have been as dedicated as she has been over the last 20 years,” he said. “For Joyce, community service was not about personal ambition, it was about figuring out how she could make a difference.”

Services had not yet been announced as of Sunday night; Fleisher said it was likely the township council would memorialize her at some point in the coming weeks.