
Mary Elizabeth Cramer
Mar 20, 1936 – Oct 16, 2016
Mary Elizabeth Schaeffer CramerMary Elizabeth was born March 20, 1936, in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, during the historic St. Patrick’s Day Flood when the Allegheny River challenged her parents’ arrival to the hospital. She was the youngest of three children to Merl King Schaeffer and Olive Thelma Baker (both deceased). Her brother Harold A. Schaeffer preceded her in death and her sister Lois Jean Kiraly resides in Waco, TX. In 1957, she married Kenneth Earl Cramer, Jr., and she was a loving and devoted wife to him for 59½ years. The Cramers started a family and had three children: Kimberley Julene Cramer (deceased), Kevin Michael Cramer of Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, and Kerri Dee Ann Creel of Louisa, Virginia. Her children will cherish the memories of their mother and will remember the love that she poured out upon them each day of their lives.Mary Elizabeth was a woman of great strength and faith, and she deeply loved her family and her God. As the wife of a Presbyterian minister, she assisted her husband with church secretarial work, directed junior choir, sang solos, and founded/managed a Multi-Media Resource Center for two Presbyteries in central Pennsylvania for 20 years.In 1974, with the death of her daughter, mother, and brother, Mary Elizabeth was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which she fought bravely for 42 years. She became a grandmother in 1980 and has six grandchildren ranging in age from thirty-five to seven: Elizabeth Ann Eisenhower, Jennifer Lynn Bryner, Rebecca Lee Stoner, Rebecca Anne Ziegler, Abbigail Beth Creel, and Jeremiah Wyatt Creel. Mary Elizabeth also has five great-grandchildren: Kaylee, Alex, Ryleigh, Caleb, and Ashton.In her days of good health, she loved hiking and camping in her beloved Cook Forest State Park, gardening, singing, wildlife watching, and taking care of her family and miniature schnauzers. In her later years, she enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, and watching birds and other backyard wildlife from her bedside window.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.The family and friends will celebrate Mary Elizabeth’s life with a memorial service at Louisa Presbyterian Church. A private graveside service will be held at Allegheny County Memorial Park in Pennsylvania
Ma was the driving force behind my best qualities. Her compassionate love, her tough love and unconditional love were always what I needed. Her love of life and nature showed me the best sides of the world. Her can-do attitude was instilled in me from every aspect of her life, from daily duties, to getting through the hardest storms of life. Always amazed at whatever confronted her, I would always ask how she dealt with things, her daily consistent replies were, You just do it”. I`ll always love you and so proud to be your son
There just aren`t words to explain what a wonderful woman we lost. She was so kind, happy, and devoted. Her smile and voice could bring the saddest person happiness. Her determination and strength was almost unnatural in a human, I guess that`s why God chose to take her and make her whole again. I will forever miss you Grammy.
Kerri & FamilyI am so sorry to hear of your Mom`s passing. I loved going on bike rides to see her enjoying her grandchildren playing outside. May God comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Hugs & Prayers, Lauren
Kev and Anne – Love and prayers for you and your families. No words can be said to ease your pain but know our hearts are breaking for you. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. Rob and ChristinePsalms 147:3 – He heals the broken heartened, binding up their wounds.
Love and prayers to the entire Cramer family. Until you meet again at heaven`s gates may you each cherish the memories and look forward to reuniting once again. God bless you!
So sorry to hear about my cousin Mary. We had so many good times together when we were young and lived in Templeton Pa.Walked through the woods to church, washed our hair outside in a basin of water and used to comb and curl her dads hair. These are some of the special memories I have..My sympathy to Ken and the family
thats my grand mom