Obituary of Alicia K Parker

Alicia Kathryn Parker died peacefully in her sleep on October 20, 2024.  A lifelong New Jersey resident, Alicia was born in Newark to Carol and Harry Parker, and had a quintessential 1950s childhood. Days were spent playing outside with her three siblings, Sue, Wayne, and Jimmy and other kids in the neighborhood.  Her youngest brother, John, would be born 15 years later.  The Parkers lived in Carteret before moving to New Providence in 1962. The family loved spending their summers in Seaside Park.

Alicia went to Union Catholic High School and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree from Kean University.  She immediately started teaching at Kenilworth High School. In 1977 she welcomed her first child, Lindsay, and gave up teaching to devote herself to her children. Brian and Cynthia were born two and five years later, respectively. In 1991, Alicia obtained a Master’s Degree.  When her children were older, she went back to teaching full time in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 2016, she retired to spend more time with her six grandchildren, Max, Tyson, Elisabet, Eloise, Parker, and Brett.  Alicia was the most devoted grandmother who had at least one child every weekend for a sleepover and never missed a game, play, or school event.

Alicia married Michael Valentine in 2004 and they moved to Long Hill Township, where they enjoyed tending to their garden, hosting barbeques, and spending as much time as possible with family.  They loved to travel and to spend time at the Jersey Shore. Alicia leaves behind her husband, Michael Valentine, her beloved children, Lindsay Cambron (Jeff), Brian Kern (Yahayra), and Cynthia Kirchner (Armin), as well as her cherished grandchildren, Maximus Kern, Tyson Kern, Elisabet Kirchner, Eloise Kirchner, Parker Cambron, and Brett Cambron.  Alicia is also survived by her sister Suzanne Fornaro, brothers Wayne Parker and James Parker (Karen), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will celebrate Alicia’s life with a memorial on Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 3 PM to 4:30 PM at Plainfield Country Club, located at 1591 Woodland Avenue, Edison, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Alicia’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Diabetes Research Institute.