Obituary of Anna Freund

FREUND, Anna D., age 92, beloved mother, sister, aunt and friend, departed this life on Saturday, March 13, 2010, after a long illness. Anna was born in 1917 in New York City to Paul and Anna. She grew up in the Bronx where her parents owned a Steak House. She married in 1947 and in 1954, moved to Glen Rock, New Jersey with her family where she resided for 50 years. Anna, a well-known mezzo soprano, graduated from the Julliard School of Music in 1939. After graduating she began her singing career as a soloist in church choirs. A student of Cornelius Reid, Anna served in many churches including the Church of the Transfiguration, ("Little Church Around the Corner") as well as churches in Ridgewood and South Orange, ending her career at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Paterson, New Jersey. She was a member of the Trinity Choir of St. Paul's Chapel in lower Manhattan which broadcast every Saturday evening on CBS radio. Throughout the 1940's and 50's, she performed as a concert artist in such venues as Town Hall, Carl Fisher Concert Hall, Steinway Concert Hall and New York Times Hall in New York City. She was also a member of the Valley Opera Company in Ridgewood, New Jersey. While her children were young, she often gave concerts in the Glen Rock elementary school system. Anna entered William Paterson University (then Paterson State Teachers College) in 1960 and graduated with a degree in speech correction. She began her teaching career as a speech therapist in the East Orange public school system. After received a masters degree in speech from Columbia University, Anna joined William Paterson College in 1968 as a professor of speech pathology and communications. She "retired" in 1988. In addition to her work at the College, Anna was a much beloved vocal coach and speech therapist for 100's of private students whom she taught in her home during the 1980's and 90's. Anna was a tireless volunteer and proficient fund raiser for many organizations in which she believed, often taking leadership positions. She was a member of the Eastern Star for 74 years, serving as their Grand Matron. She was a Board member of the Bergen County Pro Art Chorale for many years, serving as their President on several occasions. She was a member of Zonta International, serving as President of the Paterson Chapter. As an active member of the Retired Professors organization at William Paterson, she chaired the Alumni Association's executive council for the Hobart Manor Restoration Committee, raising the funding required to restore the historic structure. In 1997, she received the College's Distinguished Alumni Award. She was also an avid and knowledgeable baseball fan, appearing Ken Burns' documentary on the subject. Anna is survived by her son Paul, his wife Lorraine of Midland Park, their daughter Lynn and three great-grandchildren, her daughter Anna Martin of Williamsburg, Virginia, her sisters Willie Sherger and Dorothy Daube of Wayne, New Jersey and her nephews Jack and Bob Sherger and their families. In remembrance of Anna's passion for the arts and her deep commitment to providing support and opportunity to women who returned to College as adults, donations may be made to the Anna D. Freund Scholarship Fund at the William Paterson University Foundation, Office of Development, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne NJ, 07470 or the Bergen County Pro Art Chorale, 400 Paramus Road, Scoskie Hall, Paramus, NJ, 07652 Visiting hours will be Wednesday, 3 - 5 and 7 - 9 at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481, www.vpfh.com. A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00am at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home. Cremation will be private.