Founder of Montclair Jazz Club Passes Away

Longtime Montclair resident Emily Ann “Jazzy” Wingert, the founder of local jazz club Trumpets and one of the first licensed female private detectives in NJ, passed away on Aug. 15.

She was 80-years-old.

The following obituary comes courtesy of Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home:

“Emily Ann ‘Jazzy’ Wingert, a longtime resident of Montclair and Little Falls, passed away suddenly on August 15th at 80 years young.

“Emily was born in New York City to Babette “Betsy”(Vogel) and Edgar Peierls on November 24, 1934.

“She went to high school at House in the Pines (Massachusetts) and graduated in 1952. She attended Cornell University and completed her degree in Art History at Columbia University in New York City.

“Emily was a true leader and a force greater than any list of her incredible accomplishments. She was never afraid of a challenge and this strength made her a trailblazer for women. In the early 1970’s, as the owner and CEO of Mark Ten Security in Montclair, NJ, she became one of the first female licensed Private Detectives in NJ.

“In 1988 she followed her passion for jazz and fine dining and created Trumpets, a landmark Jazz club and restaurant in Montclair. She received an award for the restoration of the building and created a Jazz education program for children. After 10 years, she sold Trumpets after a sudden and total hearing loss.

“Her journey adjusting to her deafness led her to a burgeoning on-line discussion group known as the ‘Say What Club.’ This organization became her new passion, and she helped lead a group of people who felt isolated into a true community.

“As an early adopter of the internet, Emily found that she could talk to people and regain some of the connectivity she lost with her hearing. She found a calling in helping others turn loss and fear into independence.

“’Mimi’ as she was lovingly known by her grandchildren, a lover of cultures and global adventures, was also the matriarch of a large family, including not only her own children but many of their friends and others in need, who looked to her confidence, humor, and vitality as a guide to a life well lived.

“Most people hope to have one special thing for people to remember them by, but Emily will be remembered for so many of her iconic traits. From her signature nail art, to her love of convertibles. From her taste for fine dining to her unmatched diner habit. Emily was as grounded as she was a dreamer in sequins. Emily was simply unmatched and unforgettable.

“Emily is survived by her siblings: Barbara, Jeff, and Brian; children: Laura, Edward “Woody”, and William; grandchildren: Derald, Dana, Jackie, Katie, Samantha, Tanya, Adam and Liz; and great-grandchildren: Sadie and Madison.

“Memorial donations may be made to Say What Club, c/o Jack Nichols, POBox 5066, Central Point, OR, 97502-0044.”

Send news and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com