The Hackensack City Council has issued a proclamation and passed a resolution commemoratively renaming Club Way to “Lillian Whitaker Way” in honor of the late Lillian Whitaker, the beloved principal of Nellie K. Parker Elementary School who passed away on December 31, 2024. The resolution, passed at the City Council meeting last night, ensures that Principal Whitaker’s extraordinary contributions to Hackensack will be remembered for generations to come.

“Lillian Whitaker was more than an educator, she was a guiding light for generations of students, teachers, and families,” said Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse. “Her leadership, compassion, and dedication transformed Nellie K. Parker Elementary into a model of excellence, and renaming this street in her honor is a lasting tribute to the profound impact she had on our city.”

Born and raised in Hackensack, Lillian Whitaker’s roots ran deep in the community. She was baptized at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, attended Hackensack public schools, and dedicated nearly five decades to the city’s education system. She began her career as a music teacher at Fairmount School before transitioning to teach second and fifth grade. Eventually, she became Principal of Nellie K. Parker School, where she was known for fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment that encouraged both academic excellence and personal growth.

Last night’s meeting was filled with heartfelt tributes from community members, former students, and colleagues, all of whom spoke about Principal Whitaker’s lifelong dedication to education and her unwavering commitment to the Hackensack community.

“It is only fitting that Lillian Whitaker’s name will forever be a part of the very neighborhood where she dedicated her life’s work,” added Deputy Mayor Kathy Canestrino. “With ‘Lillian Whitaker Way’ running right next to Nellie K. Parker School, it will serve as a daily reminder to students, staff, and families that she is still watching over them, guiding and inspiring future generations just as she always did.”

Beyond her work in education, Whitaker was deeply involved in civic and faith-based organizations, serving as a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for over 40 years, a Charter Member of the National Council of Negro Women (Greater Bergen County Section), and a lifelong member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where she served as the Music Director for 23 years. She also directed the Sunrise Choir at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark for 34 years, demonstrating her lifelong dedication to music and ministry.