In Memory

Cathy J. Kramer

Cathy J. Kramer

CATHY J. KRAMER 

August 30, 1949- June 25, 2021

Cathy Joy Kramer, born in Cleveland on Aug. 31, 1949, passed away June 25, 2021, at age 71. 

Cathy was a warm-hearted adventurous soul. She had a great passion for her many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and travel. She was preceded in death by her parents, Doris (nee Goldberg) and Julius Kramer. She is survived by her siblings, Dr. Barry Kramer, Dale (Nancy) Kramer and Ellen (Steve) Young; nieces and nephews, Chad (Katie) Young, Rachel (Brandon) Huelman, Jaclyn (Alex) Shusterman and Melanie (Kris) May; and great-nieces and nephews, Julian and Cora Young, Sam Shusterman, Maren Huelman and Luna May.

Born with a loss of hearing, Cathy did not let this impairment get in her way. During her lifetime she got two master’s degrees, taught special education children in Washington, D.C., and the Ashtabula Area City Schools, and her travels took her to Europe, Asia and Australia.

After leaving teaching, Cathy devoted herself to the care of others. She took positions caring for the elderly, working with the Cuyahoga County court system as an advocate for children, and with Medicare counseling new Medicare recipients.

During the last decade of her life, Cathy had cochlear implants which greatly altered her life. Her passion and energy now turned to helping other hearing-impaired people learn and experience a new world of sound. She formed support groups, traveled to conventions and spent countless hours volunteering at cochlear events enlightening others with her knowledge and experience.

In her short life, Cathy’s generosity touched and changed many lives. She will be missed by those whose life she changed. 

Donations can be made to the American Cochlear Implant Alliance or the Doris and Julius Kramer Jewish Music Fund at Park Synagogue.


 



 
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06/28/21 01:10 PM #1    

Sharon Oscar

I remember Cathy as a sweet, caring person.  I was impressed at the positive way she handled her hearing challenges, even at a young age, and she taught me a lot about inclusion, even if I didn't know that word at the time.  It's funny the things you remember: she invited me over for lunch one day, and I had my first, but not last, delicious cream cheese and jelly sandwich - I was an instant fan!!  I am so sorry she passed too soon.  -- Sharon


06/28/21 03:43 PM #2    

Barbara Anne Katz (Brogan)

I believe  I first met Cathy  when we went to Canterbury together, and then later at Shaker Schools.  I remember going to her house and playing charades on several occasions  and her family being very nice.  r

I remember Cathy as a kind sweet person and, when I say her at the 50th reunioin, she was friendly and  fun to talk to. She stayed in contact on Facebook. .   

I am sad to hear of her passing and know she will be missed.  

 Res in peace Cathy.  


06/29/21 10:50 AM #3    

Louise (Jan) Campbell (Campbell)

I am terribly sad to hear of Cathy's death. She was a very likable individual and I echo Sharon Oscar's comments about her positivity. In Cathy's honor, I intend to introduce cream cheese and jelly sandwiches into my lunch time list. RIP, Cathy. Jan 


06/29/21 11:51 AM #4    

Sharon Oscar

Jan:  What a wonderful idea - we should all have a cream cheese and jelly sandwich in honor of Cathy!


06/29/21 03:09 PM #5    

Stevi Stephanie Baskin (Baskin)

I am very sad to hear of Cathy's passing.She was a kind lady who depite her hearing issues kept moving on.

She will be missed.My deepest sympathies to the entire family

Fondly,Stevi Baskin


06/29/21 08:39 PM #6    

Milan Tiff

I remember Cath.In special education classes. She would say, " you can't walk, and I would say, " you can't hear " We would laugh and move on with life. Never forgot and will always remember. And by the way, I made a jelly sandwich. But not like the one she had in her lunchbox. We never forget. Shaker Heights. 


06/30/21 12:37 PM #7    

Dale Pollock

I have very fond memories of Cathy, growing up with her and her brother because our parents were such close friends. She had a sweeteness that it sounds like never left her. I remember her clerarly after all these years.


06/30/21 06:33 PM #8    

Patricia Hrutkay (Seeger)

I am sad at hearing of the passing of Cathy! As others have said, she was a very kind & caring person! It was wonderful rekindling during the planning of our 40th HS reunion! I remember our first in person interaction at the Thursday luncheon reunion event. I was so amazed at how clear were her comments! That is when I learned that she had a Cochlear Implant! She then talked about her becoming an advocate for the Implant, at times being asked to speak to interested groups. She will be missed! Rest in peace Cathy!


07/01/21 10:40 AM #9    

Terry Bayer

I am so sorry to hear of Cathy's passing. Clearly, she left an imprint on many of us. Although I did not know her well during high school, I got reacquainted with her and her story this past year when she joined our Zoom reunions (organized by Bonnie Rogoff and Bobby Kirschenbaum). Cathy was our guest speaker at one Zoom reunion and shared her phenomenal story of coping with her hearing loss and especially how she benefited from a cochlear implant-- she even visited the factory as I recall! Cathy- thank you for sharing your gifts with all of us--  leaving an imprint on us for your whole life! we will miss you. Condolences to the family and close friends.

 


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