Gertrude Kramer isn’t anyone famous whose name will appear on building edifices forever.
But for my family, Gertrude Kramer was and will always be a vital part of our lives.
When my wife, Lisa, returned to work after having our first child, Gertie with help from her devoted son Irwin, would come over to the house and provide day care for our baby.
It wasn’t just daycare, though. It was love.
Gertie kept our DeDe, herself a handful of energy, busy with walks in the stroller, observations of nature, drawing, games and plenty of hugs and kisses.
But there was an additional issue that Gertie was working through. At the time, I had lost my mother to complications of multiple sclerosis. Within a year after her passing, my father would die of colon cancer. Gertie patiently taught my wife and I to parent our little girl while grieve the loss of our parents.
She used to say with a joke that she taught our “DeDe” everything she knew. I can tell you that for two brand new parents who were dealing with ill parents, Gertie was and will remain one of the true champions and friends in our lives. Again, she’s no one famous, but she’s one of those persons who made this world a better place to live through her love and kindness. Her place in the world to come should be peaceful and beautiful.
That little DeDe went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa and is living a wonderful married life in Israel.
Gertie, we could not have done it without you.
You were a gift from HaShem, and we’ll always miss and remember you.
Thank you for the difference you made.