This was written by her daughter, Jen, Class of 1991 (I think!}

There are countless things I can say about my mother, yet nothing I say could ever do her justice. She was an extraordinary person in every sense- so full of life, warmth, and purpose that it is impossible to capture them all. Nikki Kramer embodied the very essence of love and compassion. She was an educator, mentor, mother, friend, and nurturer to everyone fortunate enough to know her.

As her daughter, I feel profoundly blessed to have called her my mom. She showed me never to judge a book by its cover, to stand up and fight for what I believe in, to help those who cannot help themselves, to stay humble no matter where life takes me, to treat others with kindness until given a reason not to, and above all, to be a strong, independent woman. Those are just a few of the many lessons she imparted.

She was brave, strong, intelligent, insightful, loving, and forgiving to a fault. Yes– she could be downright terrifying if you managed to push her far enough, but that was rare, because she believed there was a lesson in nearly every mistake, and she was always ready to teach it.

No one worked harder than she did. She never complained and found true joy in her work. Teaching wasn’t just her profession—it was her calling. She poured her heart into her students, and her influence continues to ripple through the lives she touched. The profound impact she had on so many lives remains awe-inspiring.

She consistently seized every opportunity to teach long after her official retirement. From answering questions about the various shells and sea creatures we encountered at the beach to tutoring students for their AP exams, she never stopped sharing her knowledge. She continued to teach me something new almost every day until the day she passed away.

She expected hard work, but she never shamed anyone for mistakes. Her mantra was that every wrong answer was simply an opportunity to learn. All she ever asked was that you try your best—and if you did, she’d make sure you succeeded. That was her philosophy, not just in the classroom but in life: give your all, and she’d be there to lift you the rest of the way.

Above all else, my mother had a heart that loved deeply and without prejudice. She embraced people from every walk of life and taught others to do the same. Her compassion knew no boundaries.

And for those who knew her well, you know she never lost her free spirit. Despite her “hippie flower child” roots, one glass of wine—or half a drink—was usually her limit as she was fully intoxicated by then. But on rare occasions, if certain mischievous influences (who shall remain nameless) convinced her to take a toke or two of marijuana, watch out—the wild woman was unleashed, and all bets were off! That was Mom: full of surprises, laughter, and life.

I want to take a moment to give a special shout-out to the class of 1986, better known as the “Class with Class.” You should all know that you held a special place in her heart. I have fond memories of paper flowers scattered throughout my living room and teenagers running around our house. She opened our home to you, and that year taught me a great deal about my mother, as well as important life lessons. I’m grateful for all of it, as I gained a lifelong sister, once again, thanks to my mother’s love.

She will be mightily missed by so many. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no formal services at this time. Her request was simple—that her life be celebrated, just as she celebrated life every day. We will be planning a party to celebrate her life. When those arrangements are made, we will share them with everyone.

Thank you to all who have reached out with love and condolences. She would want you to smile, laugh, and remember the good times you shared with her. That was how she lived—and that’s how she would want to be remembered.