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Obituary For Elma Dolores Adams
Viewing
Tuesday 05/28/2024 9:00am to 9:30am
The Episcopal Church of St. Andrew & Holy Communion
160 W South Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079-1731
973-763-2355
Flowers: Should be delivered to the church.
Funeral Service
Tuesday 05/28/2024 9:45am
The Episcopal Church of St. Andrew & Holy Communion
160 W South Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
973-763-2355
Flowers: Should be delivered to the church.
Interment
Woodlawn Cemetery
517 E 233rd St
Bronx, NY 10470-2401
Elma Adams was born on October 11th , 1926, in New York City, to West Indian immigrant parents, George and Olive Alexander. The eldest sibling of three children, she began studying the piano at an early age, performing her first concert at only 8
years old. She received her High School Diploma from the Rhodes Preparatory School in Manhattan. She graduated from the Julliard School of Music in 1949, having studied piano with Alton Jones, Irwin Freundlich and Frances Mann. In 1960, a New York Times article described her performance at Carnegie Recital Hall as “poised and articulated”.
She continued performing throughout her life, touring Africa, Israel, Europe and the West Indies. She received a Master of Arts at Newark State College, in New Jersey, in 1973.
Elma met Irving Adams at a party. They married in 1952. Dawn and Irving were born in New York, but the family soon settled in Cranford, NJ, where they had a house built on North Union Avenue: the first black family to do so. In addition to raising two children, Elma taught at her private piano studio for over sixty years, preparing students for recitals and Music Educators Association of New Jersey piano auditions. She was a member of the local chapter of the NAACP with her husband, going to Washington to protest racial discrimination in 1963 where she famously fell asleep on the bus during Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Elma also held the position of director of music in several different churches, including St. Paul’s Episcopal in the Bronx, St. Paul’s Episcopal in Morris Plains from 1969 to 1994, Trinity and St. Philip’s Cathedral in Newark and St. Francis Episcopal, in
Dunellen, New Jersey. Elma retired from a long career as a piano teacher and accompanist for the Newark School of the Arts in 2020 and the All Children’s Theater in New Jersey in 2017, but she continued to help with the music program at St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in Pierrefonds, Canada, as well as serving as a volunteer at Société Alzheimer Laval, where her music was thoroughly enjoyed by
residents and visitors.
An avid traveller, Elma was always delighted to go on a cruise, whether in Alaska or the Caribbean, but she never enjoyed walking in the hot summer sun in Rome. Her last vacation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the land of her ancestors, was only a few
months ago.
Elma passed away suddenly on May 22nd , 2024, in New Jersey. She was predeceased by her husband Irving Adams Sr, and by brothers Earle and Dorn Alexander. She was the loving mother of Irving Adams Jr. and Dawn Bontemps, mother-in-law of Yolaine Adams and Georges Bontemps. Cherished grandmother of Jon-Paul and wife Tamicha,
David and wife Tomeeka, Patrick, Jean-Christophe, Muriel and husband Pierre-Hugues, Marc. Great-grandmother of Gabrielle, Gisèlle, Elijah, Isaiah, Hugues, Antoine, Sacha and Hamilton. Aunt of Leah and husband Dean, great-aunt of Nina, Alexander, and Zion. She is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. She will be missed.
Live Stream Links
Elma Adams Funeral Meeting ID: 867 1292 9056 Passcode: 728096Photos & Video
Live Stream Links
Elma Adams Funeral Meeting ID: 867 1292 9056 Passcode: 728096Video Links
Elma Adams Funeral Meeting ID: 867 1292 9056 Passcode: 728096
Condolences & Tributes
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Beethoven has said that music is the language of God and that musicians are as close to God as man can be. ...Family and friends take solace in knowing that Mrs. Adams is sharing her God given talents with the heavenly choir.
The Celestin family and the Adams family have been good friends since the 1970s. My name is Ramses, the second child of Dr. Toussaint & Mrs. Jessie Celestin. Elma was a warm and loving person who shared her musical talents through the piano for many to enjoy. We wish her well on her spiritual journey. And, we pray for comfort for the family during this time of transition. We love you Elma.
Sincere condolences to Dawn, Irvin and your families. Mrs. Elma Adams was our beloved choir director at St. Francis' Dunellen for several years. She joyfully shared her love of music and love for her family with us. She was so proud of you and your achievements! Mrs. Adams was great at bringing musicians together for worship, performances and those wonderful socials at her home. I will always remember her with great appreciation and fondness. Rest In Peace Elma Adams until you Rise In Glory! Princess Thomas
My deepest sympathies to the families. I always enjoyed listening Mrs. Adam playing the piano at St-Michael and All Angels Church. Thank Mrs. Adam for sharing your talent with so many of us for so many years. God bless you all. RGLU (Remember God Loves Us). Isabelle Chenier
My memories of Mrs. Adams, though not abundant and admittedly from a time when all I cared about during those adolescent years was candy and games and avoiding the room where all the grown-ups sat - nonetheless these memories contain a profound imprint of someone who was kind, sweet, thoughtful, and gentle. It is a strong imprint. That smile, the sense of patience, the way she listened .... one could not help but get the sense that she cared deeply about those she loved and anyone who came within her orbit. That sense was impressed upon me and my siblings as well by both my parents- Toussaint & Jessie Celestin. It was clear they wanted to make sure all their children had the opportunity to get to know her AND to hear here lovely and commanding piano playing. She was inspiring. Music is core to building a sense of warmth and community. It is the butter of life that gives flavor to social interactions and it helps strengthen that connection between people. Her talent was 'instrumental' in doing just that everytime our families got together to celebrate an occasion or just hang out and enjoy some good cooking from the homeland. I can't imagine that she did not impart this gift and grace to everyone she met. I am grateful I had the opportunity to know her. I know that she is in good hands and a good place and, no doubt, still sharing her good heart, good music, and good times in her new place of rest. My condolences, thoughts and prayers extend to your family. God bless you.
Mrs. Elma Adams served as a piano accompanist from 1988-2017 for our All Children´s Theatre. I have known her for 36 years. During many of those years she served on our Board of Trustees. Her love, dedication and hard work in the area of music and performance were instrumental for the success of our nonprofit all kids´ arts organization. She worked with over 1,000 children mostly in Metuchen, Parsippany and Watchung. Elma was a caring and loving person with a beautiful family and a tremendous gift for music. Her contributions to the arts and to the children she touched span decades. We will miss her dearly. God bless you Elma from the bottom of my heart. Alex Kramer, President All Children´s Theatre, Inc. Parsippany, NJ Myrtle Beach, SC
I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Adams. Mrs. Adams held such a special place if the hearts of my entire family. Firstly as a dear friend of my parents, secondly, as a fellow organist, co-collaborator in many musical endeavors with my mother, thirdly as piano teacher of both me and my sister for over 10 years each, her memory will live on. I am grateful to have been trained by one of the best. We have all been blessed by the life that she lived, and the gifts that she shared. May God provide the family with peace, strength and comfort as they all navigate through the days and years to come. Beverly Archer Isaac and the Archer Family❤️
There's nothing to say to ease the loss of a mother.
Sometimes when a piano sound is floating in the air like a whisper, you will probably feel that she is still the one playing...
She will be missed for ever but those joyful memories, will keep her alive forever...
We are here for you and send our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Arnhile, Fritz, Karina, Carissa and Max (Chancy and Bontemps families)
Mrs. Adams was one of my fellow musical colleagues as well as an icon in the field of church music. I will miss her summertime parties at her house as well as having wonderful conversations with her about Juilliard and her career. May her memory be eternal.
Ronald Baltimore Westminster Choir College Class of 1986
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
