The first African-American woman to be elected mayor in Bergen County, NJ, died on Sunday after being hospitalized for “respiratory issues,” officials said.

Lizette Parker, elected mayor of Teaneck in 2014, passed away at Holy Name Medical Center. She was 44.

“Mayor Parker was a strong leader, public advocate and a consummate professional, who was greatly respected by her colleagues and the community,” Township Manager William Broughton said in a statement.

Parker is survived by her husband, Tony, and their young daughter.