Melissa Beth Kramer

Melissa Beth Kramer was born September 25, 1958 and died March 25, 2025.
She was born to Anna and George Kramer of Hicksville, New York. Melissa was the youngest of five children in the Kramer family. She had an older sister and three brothers. Melissa and her older sister Marjorie were called the "bookends," with her three brothers, John, Frank and Matthew, the "books" in the middle.
Melissa graduated from Hicksville High School. After further education and training she worked for Associates Financial Services, a real estate mortgage loan company. She attained the position of mortgage loan branch manager.
In 1985 Melissa moved to Newark, Delaware to be closer to her aging parents. Melissa was always very attentive to her mother and father. They appreciated her nearness and that she was there to help them.
While living in Delaware Melissa met Jon Karr. They married in December of 1989. Melissa and Jon had two lovely little girls, Ella and Amber. Melissa's parents adored having her and their grandchildren only two townhouses away from them.
In 1999 the family moved to Lincolnville, Maine. Melissa became active in a wide range of school activities and served as a Girl Scout leader. A highlight of her Girl Scout experiences was taking a group of girls to the International Girl Scout Jamboree in Switzerland.
In 2012, Melissa moved to Hamilton, Virginia to assist with the support of her mother who was then declining in health and living in Spring Arbor Assisted Living in Leesburg, Virginia. She provided patient and compassionate support for her mother until her death in 2019.
In these years Melissa began a new career in health care. She began by providing Visiting Angels personal care to seniors and later became a Certified Nursing Assistant at Heritage Hall in Leesburg, Virginia. She was a gifted caregiver. In her work she displayed special talents for comforting and caring for the residents of Heritage Hall. She was liked and respected by her colleagues, the residents, and the families of those for whom she provided care.
Melissa had a lifelong passion for animals. Many dogs and cats entered her life at various times. While in Maine, she participated in the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League. Sometimes rescued animals joined her family. She loved all her pets. She also had an affinity for mice, those of the figurine kind. She had a substantial collection of mice figurines, all of which resided in a wall display case she affectionately called her "mouse house."
Reading was a favorite pastime of Melissa. She was an avid reader and was interested in a wide range of books and topics. She also enjoyed crafting. She joined her sister in providing craft activities to residents in Spring Arbor Assisted Living. Christmas was made special with craft projects the residents could make to share with their families as gifts.
Melissa's life was spent sharing her talents and her time. Her life ended too abruptly and too soon. She will be missed dearly.
She is survived by her daughters, Amber (Los Angeles, California) and Ella (Karr) Carter (Bowdoinham, Maine), a granddaughter, her sister Marjorie, and her brothers John, Frank and Matthew.
A memorial service will be held at a date yet to be determined.
Memorial gifts may be made in Melissa's name to The American Red Cross.