ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Anita Paerg, 82 years old, born on February 22, 1937, and passed away on June 22, 2019. We will remember her forever.
July 12, 2019
July 12, 2019
Anita was my teacher from when I was six or seven years old, until around 19 years old (2015), until she stopped teaching. I had kept in contact with her after that, and just visited her with my boyfriend, this past March when I came to New Jersey. I had spent a few hours with her, talking and drinking tea. I spoke with her about how I was applying to music school, and listened to a bit of music with her and played a bit for her, as well; she even made sure to show me how her lemon tree was doing, as she always was happy about the little things, and talking about her plants. Although she had not been doing well, she made sure to walk me to the door, like she always did. We took a picture together and she gave me a big hug. She seemed to give me one last bit of her precious advice, "It's not about how many wrong notes you play, what matters is that it comes from your heart." She smiled as she slowly closed the door and said good-bye.
   Anita was a special woman; she made me who I am, and she felt like a second grandmother to me and a dear, dear friend. Anita always gave, considered, and cared deeply; she always gave advice and pep talks, like when my bunny died before the recital, when someone would bully me, and even to now, going to school. I recall a time as a kid, where she had me sit on her lap as we watched and listened to a more advanced student play; she taught me over the years how to grow to be the same. A couple years ago, when I came to visit, she had even ran out to the store to pick up all different things for me, to have with tea together; this is just how thoughtful, caring, and generous she always was. Although she only knew I was applying and not that I was accepted, thanks to her, I am studying through Berklee. I will carry her passion and legacy into the music I create throughout my journey, as she will not be forgotten.
   I cannot express the sorrow I had to find this news; she means so much to me and I look up to her, like I have for most of my life. My condolences to her family. She was a purely warm, passionate, thoughtful, patient, talented, intelligent, and beautiful person, with an extraordinarily full heart. I am incredibly lucky to have had a teacher such as her, as most are not as fortunate. She was irreplaceable and inspirational, and will be missed for the remainder of my life, and always. I hope for as much peace and solace as possible to her family and loved ones, in this time.
July 3, 2019
July 3, 2019
Our Oma, always and forever. You brought such great joy and laughter to our entire family, and you lit up every room. You blessed us with so much guidance, and we could not have loved you more. The way you always celebrated our victories and accomplishments, and gave us your unconditional love every day, no one will ever compare to you. I take great comfort in knowing that you are free of pain, and reunited with Opa. It warms my heart to know that you are walking in paradise with the love of your life, enjoying your biggest glass of Chardonnay yet. Rest in peace my sweet angel❤️
June 27, 2019
June 27, 2019
Oma, I will miss you so terribly much but I know that you are in heaven reunited with Opa and that brings me a feeling of such relief. I will always be thankful for your endless support in all that I have done in my life and I will never stop being so proud of you and telling everyone about how amazing you were as a person, grandmother, and musician. I will love you forever
June 27, 2019
June 27, 2019
1% of women achieved a Master’s degree in 1961. My grandmother, was in this percentile, achieving both her Bachelor’s and Master’s from the Juilliard School of Music in New York City - 3 blocks from where I am achieving my Master’s now. She was an accomplished pioneer, a loyal friend, and a cherished mother and grandmother. Rest easy to the woman who taught me to fight for my dreams, I love you Oma ❤️
June 26, 2019
June 26, 2019
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You All. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May your memories give you comfort. 
Linda, I will always remember your mom's gift of music and love for her family.
June 26, 2019
My deepest condolences to all of the Paerg family. I will fondly remember
my 10 yrs of piano lessons in her home. If I was early to my lesson, I was always warmly greeted by her german short-haired pointers and a spoonful of fresh honey from the honeycomb. The recitals always ended with a performance by Anita that always "wowed" the crowd. She was a wonderful person and instructor and she will be greatly missed!

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Recent Tributes
July 12, 2019
July 12, 2019
Anita was my teacher from when I was six or seven years old, until around 19 years old (2015), until she stopped teaching. I had kept in contact with her after that, and just visited her with my boyfriend, this past March when I came to New Jersey. I had spent a few hours with her, talking and drinking tea. I spoke with her about how I was applying to music school, and listened to a bit of music with her and played a bit for her, as well; she even made sure to show me how her lemon tree was doing, as she always was happy about the little things, and talking about her plants. Although she had not been doing well, she made sure to walk me to the door, like she always did. We took a picture together and she gave me a big hug. She seemed to give me one last bit of her precious advice, "It's not about how many wrong notes you play, what matters is that it comes from your heart." She smiled as she slowly closed the door and said good-bye.
   Anita was a special woman; she made me who I am, and she felt like a second grandmother to me and a dear, dear friend. Anita always gave, considered, and cared deeply; she always gave advice and pep talks, like when my bunny died before the recital, when someone would bully me, and even to now, going to school. I recall a time as a kid, where she had me sit on her lap as we watched and listened to a more advanced student play; she taught me over the years how to grow to be the same. A couple years ago, when I came to visit, she had even ran out to the store to pick up all different things for me, to have with tea together; this is just how thoughtful, caring, and generous she always was. Although she only knew I was applying and not that I was accepted, thanks to her, I am studying through Berklee. I will carry her passion and legacy into the music I create throughout my journey, as she will not be forgotten.
   I cannot express the sorrow I had to find this news; she means so much to me and I look up to her, like I have for most of my life. My condolences to her family. She was a purely warm, passionate, thoughtful, patient, talented, intelligent, and beautiful person, with an extraordinarily full heart. I am incredibly lucky to have had a teacher such as her, as most are not as fortunate. She was irreplaceable and inspirational, and will be missed for the remainder of my life, and always. I hope for as much peace and solace as possible to her family and loved ones, in this time.
July 3, 2019
July 3, 2019
Our Oma, always and forever. You brought such great joy and laughter to our entire family, and you lit up every room. You blessed us with so much guidance, and we could not have loved you more. The way you always celebrated our victories and accomplishments, and gave us your unconditional love every day, no one will ever compare to you. I take great comfort in knowing that you are free of pain, and reunited with Opa. It warms my heart to know that you are walking in paradise with the love of your life, enjoying your biggest glass of Chardonnay yet. Rest in peace my sweet angel❤️
June 27, 2019
June 27, 2019
Oma, I will miss you so terribly much but I know that you are in heaven reunited with Opa and that brings me a feeling of such relief. I will always be thankful for your endless support in all that I have done in my life and I will never stop being so proud of you and telling everyone about how amazing you were as a person, grandmother, and musician. I will love you forever
Her Life
June 27, 2019

Anita knew Jackson, NJ as home throughout her life.  She was raised on a farm by her parents who came to the United States from Germany as well as her older sister Rita.  After her parents sold the farm, they bought a store that became their pride and joy and Anita found herself immersing herself in helping her family run the store.  The store was an important part of Anita’s life as this is where she met her late husband Johannes when he would come for a bite to eat.  Music was always a significant part of Anita’s life and her exceptional musical talent was noticed by The Julliard School for music in New York City where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in concert piano.  After graduating, she was able to continue to share her love of music playing the organ in her church for over 50 years, teaching music in an elementary school, teaching piano lessons in her home, and pursuing opportunities directing choirs.  She valued her family more than anything and took great care in raising her daughter, Linda, and her son, Viktor.  Later, she had four grandchildren, Loren, Kayla, Nicola and Martine, with whom she always shared smiles, laughs and joyful memories.

Recent stories

Musical Holidays

June 27, 2019

Some fond musical memories that I had with Oma came around the holidays.  Every Christmas, she lead us in a caroling session consisting of German and Estonian Christmas songs.  She would put her own musical flare into the piano making a more common Christmas song extraordinary.  She always remained humble regarding her musical talent and her ability to transpose and recreate pieces on the piano, however, I remember one Thanksgiving she truly amazed me with this talent.  While she was helping in the kitchen with the turkey and other dinner preparations, she found the time to help my sister and myself with a hymn we were going to sing at church that was too high for our vocal ranges.  Between basting the turkey and figuring out the perfect timing for every dish in the oven, she was able to run over to the piano for us, and while sight-reading the music, she transposed the entire hymn as she was playing.  She then was able to rewrite all of the music on blank sheet music paper before checking on the turkey again.  Additionally, during that same meal prep period, she found time and energy to teach a more efficient way to play a piece I had been practicing on the piano.  In that moment, I was amazed at how easily she was able to musically complete what many would consider very difficult work, even without Thanksgiving dinner cooking on the stove. Her talent and her immediate readiness to help myself and my sister is telling of the person she was as she would always dedicate as much time as she could to her grandchildren.  I will always admire her for how she was not only a talented musician, but she also was a wonderful and caring grandmother, constantly putting her grandchildren's needs before her own.  I will always think back to her with such a smile on my face and will always feel the warmth of her love. 

The Supporter

June 27, 2019

One of the most admirable qualities about my grandmother was her selflessness. She never wanted to talk about herself, she only wanted to hear about how you were doing. How are your friends doing? Classes going okay? Which is your favorite one? Why?

These are some of the questions that came up during every single time we spent together. Being an athlete my entire life, Oma came to as many games as she could. In college while I was playing lacrosse for Vanderbilt, she live streamed every single game. At the end of each game when the final whistle blew, she would send me an email, recapping her favorite plays, stating why the coach shouldn’t have subbed someone out, or recounting the way I scored a goal. And of course, each game was followed by a personal phone call, to hash out the details over the phone. My grandmother supported every endeavor that I chose (as well as my entire family) within our 23 years spent together. Her incessant support was always a comfort to me, and is something that I will always be grateful for. I love you Oma

Seaside park concerts

June 27, 2019

She will be remembered by many for her concerts at seaside park elementary school. Standing room only audiences appeared at each concert at spring and Christmas .

 She gave many students fond memories to carry with them and will always be remembered fondly.

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