Obituary of Nancy M. Altenburg

Nancy Mae Altenburg (nee Ebersole) left peacefully on Friday, August 26, 2022, at age 93. Nancy was a devoted mother and an artist who loved to paint. She attended the Phoenix School of Art in New York City and was briefly a model prior to marrying Otto Altenburg in 1952 and raising four children in Union, NJ. Nancy had a great interest in psychology and earned a master's degree from Kean University in the 1980's. When her husband passed away in 1997, she presided over the family business, Altenburg Piano House, for 20 years before retiring. She was very active with the Women's Association at First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, organizing specialty themed dinners, designing, and overseeing the church's historical quilt that is still on display and helping to advance the restoration of the church steeple. In addition to her other interests, Nancy was an accomplished pianist and sang in the church choir. She was involved in both the girl scouts and cub scouts and loved colonial history, gardening, fashion, travel and reading the New York Times, including doing its crossword puzzle. Nancy is survived by four children: Barbara, Otto Carl, Elizabeth, and Frederick, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the Center of Hope Hospice for the care they provided over the past year. Donations can be sent to them in remembrance. A memorial visitation will be held for Nancy on September 15, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the August F. Schmidt Memorial Funeral Home, 139 Westfield Ave., Elizabeth.