Obituary of Michele M Jaeger

Michele Marie Jaeger nee (Lichtenberger) Michele Marie Jaeger (nee Lichtenberger), born on September 26, 1951, passed away on March 20, 2020 at the age of 68 years old. Michele was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, who lived her adult years in Waldwick, New Jersey. Michele was born in Hackensack, New Jersey to parents Joseph Lewis and Ruth Ann Lichtenberger, and cherished by her siblings, Elizabeth Ann, Karen, Joseph Lewis Junior and Michael, as well as her step-father Alfred Love. She spent happy years raised in Allendale, New Jersey and attended Saint Luke’s Parochial School, Brookside Elementary School, and Northern Highlands Regional High School (Class of 1970). On February 23, 1974, Michele wed Thomas Robert Jaeger of Saddle Brook. In 1978, they bought their first home in Waldwick, NJ. Three years later in 1981, they were blessed with a son, Thomas Joseph. Four short years later they welcomed a daughter, Noelle. Michele loved both her children to the depth of her soul and her greatest pride in life was being their mother. Michele was incredibly active in the lives of her cherished children, teaching CCD, as a class mother, attending every single sporting event, play, concert and every other event under the sun! Michele’s family and friends were immensely important to her as well. She loved hosting large family gatherings for holidays, life events and just because, making every get together from large to small special for all those who attended. She was an incredible self-taught cook and baker, known for her famous New Years’ Day gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, countless barbeques, and of course her rice pudding (among many other delicious things). Her generous, warm, welcoming and caring nature shined through every day and in every interaction in her life, always putting others before herself, from immediate family and friends to near-strangers. Michele planned all year for special family events and holidays, enjoying shopping (especially for bargains), trips to the Jersey shore and Atlantic City with family and friends, visiting distant family members, following her favorite golf pros and horse-racing. The family expanded over the years, as TJ met his fiancé Marlee Fickes, and Noelle married Doug Smith in 2012. The expanding family brought Michele many more great joys in her first granddaughter, Abigail Fickes (age 15), followed by Douglas Parker Smith (age 5), and her namesake Emilia Michele Smith (age 2.) She deeply loved animals, including the family dog, Brittany Chase, and her ‘grand-dogger’ Rosie Bitson. Michele made lasting impacts through her career as an office manager for numerous dental practices, most recently with Dr. Warren Boardman (Ridgewood Dentistry) in Ridgewood, NJ, prior to retiring in 2016. Her friendships and impacts lasted far beyond her career, constantly running into friends and former patients who grew to know her kind smile over the years. Michele is pre-deceased by her father, Joseph Lewis Lichtenberger, her mother Ruth Ann Love, and her step-father, Alfred Love. She is survived by her loving husband Thomas Jaeger, her son Thomas Joseph Jaeger and fiancé Marlee Fickes, her daughter Noelle Smith and husband Douglas, grandchildren Abigail, Douglas and Emilia, sister Elizabeth Ann Groppi and husband Richard, sister Karen Delbuono and husband Joseph, brother Joseph Lichtenberger and wife Erin, brother Michael Lichtenberger and wife Jan, brother-in-law Frederick Jaeger and wife Kathy, brother-in-law James and wife Judy, best friend Nadine Morton and husband Dennis. Michele is also survived by over 30 of her adoring nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and countless friends. Michele’s impact on this world was as big as her caring and generous heart – she impacted so many and asked for so little in return. She will be forever missed and loved dearly as Michele, Shelly, Mom, and Nana. May she forever rest in peace, our beautiful angel. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, funeral services have been suspended until a later date (TBD) where all those who loved Michele can celebrate her life in the manner she deserves. Updates will be shared as they come available. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The American Heart Association and the ASPCA.