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Bebe Krimmer Obituary

Bebe was beloved by all who knew her, from her young students to her old friends. She had a generous spirit and was known for her humor, kindness, compassion, and, of course, creativity. A highly regarded artist, Bebe continued to innovate throughout her career. Each show displayed a new, clearly articulated direction, including her most recent one-person show at Chiaroscuro Gallery, Santa Fe, NM. Each show was also recognizable for her distinctive vision. Her works are in the permanent collections of the State Capitol of New Mexico, the Museum of Fine Art, Santa Fe, and the Chicago Art Institute. Bebe had a passion and curiosity for the world, and was a frequent traveler across the globe. Her feet graced several continents and she recently returned from an extended trip though rural China. An avid hiker, she was climbing the mountain trails of Santa Fe every week with close friends. She loved her book group of 15 years. Bebe made art and friends in Santa Fe for 20 years. She loved her home town of Chicago, raised her family there, and taught in area universities. Bebe could also sit still. She was often found in deep conversation with her many friends in restaurants and cafes. She loved to entertain in her home and was known for her unique & beautiful table settings. Bebe is survived by her daughter Tina Cooper and her husband Dan, Bob Krimmer & his wife Chris, Mathew Krimmer & his wife Tina, her grandchildren, Max, Tess & Sam, her brother Richard Brams and sister Hermana Shmerler, and her decade long friend Charles Edward Lindblom. She was predeceased by her husband of sixty years, Burton Krimmer, and her son Dan. In lieu of flowers and to honor Bebe's life, the family requests a memorial gift be sent to the Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org/development to support brain research. The family welcomes notes with a favorite Bebe memory sent to PO Box 31489, Santa Fe, NM 87594. Bebe said that she will miss everyone. Her art and love will live on among her family and friends. A celebration of her life to be scheduled.

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Published by Chicago Tribune from Jul. 23 to Jul. 27, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Bebe Krimmer

24 Entries

Kim Austin

July 17, 2021

Bebe was a great teacher! I miss her. RIP Bebe.

Cheryl Bloom

April 29, 2020

Bebe was my teacher, a great mentor and friend. We met at Barat College in Lake Forest in 1976when I was a continuing Ed student trying to balance classes at Barat with being a wife and mother of 2 young sons....We had an immediate connection which endured and I visited her several times in Sante Fe. I actually think she liked my husband Larry more than me!.... I saw the painting she did after she lost her son and understood it immediately. I had also lost a son.. I just saw this notice today and interestingly I lost my husband, Larry in November of 2017 She was a tremendous inspiration to me. Her strong vivid spirit will endure. cheryl Bloom.

Kim Austin-DeLuca

December 2, 2014

Bebe was my most inspirational teacher at Barat. Her talent was amazing. I know she will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her. My sincere condolences to her dear friends and family.

September 3, 2014

To Tina and family,
My deepest condolences.
Mary Dawson

Kathryn M Davis

August 3, 2014

Bebe and I met when we were docents at SITE Santa Fe back in the 2000s. I'll never forget her amazing thrift-shopping powers--when we were all freezing during a group trip to Marfa, TX, she found us sweaters, etc in the local 2nd-hand store.
I'm so glad she insisted we have dinner at her house late last year. Still have her recipe for Indian chicken stew, and will think of her generous spirit every time I cook it.
How she will be missed here in Santa Fe! She was the epitome of an ever-youthful soul, ageless with her humor-laced wisdom.

Kit Noller

August 1, 2014

Bebe used to come and visit me at my store many years ago - she was always a pleasure to speak with and I looked forward to her visits.

July 31, 2014

Whenever the subject of height would come up within our little group of four, Bebe always insisted that she was the TALLEST. While definitely not in physical size but in every other way, Bebe truly was the tallest and most inspirational of us all. My deepest condolences to her family and dearest friends. She remains with us all in spirit and through her ever-evolving art. Barbara Prowe, Portland, OR

July 28, 2014

Please accept my sincerest condolences. May God and the fond memories of your loved one give you peace and comfort during this time of sorrow.
Ms Porter

July 25, 2014

Bebe will always be a cherished friend. I am honored to have shared so many times with her and have so many wonderful memories of our many adventures. To the Cooper and Krimmer families I offer my deepest sympathy and this thought: She who is no longer where you are now is now everywhere you are. Love & Blessings, Sherry Sturch

Kay and Bill Slattery

July 25, 2014

Gifted friend, mentor. A force of nature adored by all. Bebe sparkled with ideas yet listened deeply. What a magnetic field she packed into such a tiny package. She left us behind so quickly, a shooting star always. Thank you to her family for composing such a beautiful tribute.

July 25, 2014

Bebe... her presence, full of vigor, life and positive energy. While attending classes at Fort Marcy, we met and often shared stories and anecdotes... and a hug... By what she said, I could tell, her husband and son's spirits, were always present in her... Her presence was joyful and real; I feel fortunate our paths crossed. ( I've xbeen living in PR for a few months and !coincidentally! Happened to access The New Mexican online this morning and read the sad news...). My love to her family. Pitu Martin

k pritchett

July 25, 2014

So sad. She was a very special soul.

Susan & Elias

July 24, 2014

Bebe, always amazing, dazzling and full of adventures. Will miss thinking of you in your studio creating your unique vision of the universe,traveling and being Bebe - always exploring. Bebe adored her family,friends,Art and knew what was important to her. Lost touch, but at a Spring dance concert this we threw kisses at each other before the curtain went up. Sending love And condolences to Tina and Bebe's family.

July 24, 2014

What a fantastic lady! A beautiful tribute to her life--a life well lived. My deepest condolences. Susan Applebaum

July 24, 2014

Bebe was an amazingly talented, bright, funny, kind and loving woman. I will miss her very much. Because I have two of her beautiful paintings, she will always be with me.
Jacquie Jones-Lipton

July 24, 2014

Goodbye, my dearest friend. You have been an invaluable part of my life for nearly two decades, and I cannot imagine Santa Fe without you. We used to joke about you being my surrogate mom in the US; you will forever be in our hearts and I was so lucky to have known you.....

Raphaelle Goethals

July 24, 2014

Bebe was a very special friend and travel companion. She was a super lady, teacher and best buddy. She will be greatly missed. All our love and condolences to her her family.
Anna and Gene Weiner

Mary and Jeff Brannen

July 24, 2014

We have been so lucky to have had Bebe in Santa Fe and know she was an important part of so many lives in so many places. She was uniquely wonderful- creative in every aspect of her life. We are thinking especially of her family at this time of great loss.

Nancy Zimmerman

July 24, 2014

Goodby, dear friend. You were a force, an inspiration, and a font of wisdom and common sense. I'll always remember our long talks, and in particular a special dinner with you and Burt.

July 23, 2014

I was a friend of both Bebe and Burt... I am saddened at the news of Bebe's passing.. My best wishes to the family... Frank Friedman

Deborah Horner

July 23, 2014

Bebe is my 2nd cousin. I was blessed enough to meet her and hear stories about my grandfather. My mom was friends with her in Chicago when they were kids. She let my daughter help her with her alphabet collage. I am sad that I can't see her again, but feel blessed having known her.

Mary Witte

July 23, 2014

Without a doubt, Bebe was the most inspirational friend and teacher I have ever known. While she may no longer be physically present with us, we will always have her in our hearts and her artwork will keep her ever in our world.

July 23, 2014

Dear Bebe, such a wonderful spirit and soul and a great talent. We are grateful that you lived richly until the very end, that you leave us all with such happy memories, and that we were so lucky to have known you. Our deepest condolences to your family. Kathy McIntosh and Sam Adams

July 23, 2014

Your words about Bebe are wonderful and so very characteristic of her. We always enjoyed Bebe's Zest for life, learning, listening and sharing. She is missed. This photo is from her last one person show here in Santa Fe.

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