Gertrude Anstey Karger, of East Boothbay, known to her devoted piano students as Trudi, died July 23 in her home.
Trudi was born Sept. 27, 1909 in Corona Long Island, N.Y., the second child of four born to Archibald Douglas Anstey and Alvinia Priscilla Russell Anstey. Alvinia was the piano teacher to all of her four children, but Trudi was the one who showed great promise at an early age. A master teacher, who knew she wanted to teach piano at the age of five, Trudi carried on the lineage and tradition of teachers who preceded her.
Trudi’s abilities as a teacher extended far beyond her knowledge and expertise. Never unaware of a student’s weaknesses, Trudi called each individual to be his or her best self, selecting pieces of music individually suited to a student’s proficiency, personality and emotional development and current situation. She devoted herself to her teaching. She took an interest in everyone and in the world, keeping up on local, national and international politics.
Mrs. Karger taught piano in New Jersey for 30 years and for another 50 years in Maine, a total of 80 years of teaching experience.
Trudi was predeceased by her elder brother, Russell Anstey, younger brother, Archibald Douglas Anstey, Jr. and her husband Ralph Karger.
She is survived by one sister, Amelia Miriam Wolf of Port Charlotte, Fla., and two nephews, Robert Anstey and Russell Anstey.
Memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, at a later date to be announced.
There will be a recital in honor of Mrs. Karger, presented by her students, young and old, the evening preceding the memorial service.
Contributions in Trudi’s memory can be made to the Ralph and Gertrude Karger Music Scholarship Fund at Boothbay Region Student Aid; Portland Conservatory of Music; and the New England Conservatory.
