Arlis Ruth Kramer

KRAMER, ARLIS RUTH Arlis Ruth Kramer, 62 of North Branford died on Wednesday, April 20,2011 at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven. She was born to Raymond Johnson Sr. and Karin Ruth Dahlin Johnson on September 18, 1948 in the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. She grew up in Milford, Connecticut and graduated from Jonathan Law High School. Following her graduation, she attended Nyack College in Nyack, New York where she earned a Bachelors of Music in voice performance with a minor in organ performance. Shortly thereafter, Arlis certified as a teacher of music through the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Arlis first began teaching music in 1973. In the following years, she taught classes and individual students from pre-school to adults in Massachusetts, New Jersey and throughout Connecticut, including Ansonia, Connecticut elementary schools. Arlis also directed several choirs: the Long Hill Baptist Church choir in Trumbull, Connecticut; the Grace Baptist Church choir and the Milford Senior Center's Gospel Choir in Milford, Connecticut; the Teamwork in Extension Choir in Neptune, New Jersey; and the Shoreline Choral in Madison, Connecticut. An avid quilter, she loved making quilts and quilted pocketbooks, hats, and baby buntings. She founded and owned a web-based business called Arlis Creations to market her work. Arlis was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Karin Johnson. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Charles Kramer; her children Karin (William) Foley of Abington MA, David (Tiffany) Kramer of Feasterville, PA and Lisa (William) Brown of Clifton Park, NY; and her brother Raymond (Ruth) Johnson and her nephew Eric (Natalie) Johnson of Orange, CT. Her family and friends will remember Arlis for her love of people, her love of music, her gift of hospitality and her giant Christmas Trees. A Prayer Service will be held on Saturday April 23, 2011 at 10am directly in Grace Reformed Baptist Church, 1225 North High St., East Haven, CT 06512. Friends may call prior at the Church at 9am. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4 to 8pm at the Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home, 135 Broad St., Milford, CT. Interment to follow at Kings Highway Cemetery, Milford. Donations can be made to Grace Reformed Baptist Church, or to The Village Church of Milford at 182 Forest Road, Milford, CT 06461. To leave condolences or for directions, please visit our website @ www.georgejsmithandson.com