Obituary of Laura Schwarz Cramer

Laura Schwarz Cramer, born August 13, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on April 2, 2022.  Laura will be deeply missed by her three daughters, Anne C. Searles (John), Carol P. Cramer (David Egelhoff), and Laura F. Cramer; her four grandchildren, Jessie S. Baccich (Michael), Kippy S. Warner (Ryan), Charles R. Scarminach, and Robert C. Scarminach.  Laura was predeceased in 1989 by her husband of 40 years, Robert R. (“Bob”) Cramer; and by her brother, Frederick K. Schwarz.

Laura was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Duke University and received an MA from Washington University in St. Louis where she worked as an Instructor in the Psychology Dept.  She was a tireless volunteer everywhere she lived.  In St. Louis, she served on the Boards of the Community Music School, the Advisory Board of the Volunteer Service Bureau of the Health and Welfare Council, and the Board of the Public Affairs Institute, in addition to chairing several committees of the Junior League of St. Louis.  

The family relocated to Rochester, New York in 1960 where Laura initially held the position of Director of Testing for a private school until she was recruited to serve as Registrar and subsequently and simultaneously as the first Dean of Women at St. John Fisher College.  In addition to her professional positions, she served as a member of the Boards of the Junior League of Rochester and the Monroe Community Hospital.

In 1976, Laura and Bob moved to Hilton Head Island, where the family had been vacationing since the 1960s.  With no opportunities for a position in secondary education in the area, Laura was talked into trying her hand at real estate sales with Sea Pines Real Estate.  Laura quickly soared into first place positions in sales and listings and continued her exceptional career with Sea Pines Real Estate and as a founding partner of Clark, Cramer & Frank, and Broker-In-Charge of Sea Pines Real Estate South Beach until into her 90’s. A mutual sentiment of Laura’s and her clients is that she not only exceptionally served her clients, but she made long-lasting friendships with many of them.

As a quiet servant, Laura was not as well known for her service to the Hilton Head community.  During her Hilton Head tenure, she served on the Town of Hilton Head Island Planning Commission, the Town of Hilton Head Island Beach and Shore Preservation Committee, the Boards of the Technical College of the Lowcountry Foundation, Inc., the MLS of Hilton Head Island, The Seabrook of Hilton Head Island, the United Way of Beaufort County, the Board of Visitors for the Hilton Head Hospital, and was a founding member of Women in Philanthropy of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

 Laura’s real estate sales accomplishments and volunteer efforts are far too many to list, but it is safe to say that Laura will be remembered as nothing less than a real estate icon and living legend on Hilton Head Island for her community contributions, success, integrity, loyalty, friendliness, and diligence.

Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Laura enjoyed bird-watching, gardening, writing limericks, and was an avid reader and quite the dog-lover.

Laura, most importantly, was a loving and loyal wife, mother and grandmother and she leaves behind an inspiring legacy of an extraordinary life well lived.  Laura was beloved by her family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. 

A Celebration of Life followed by luncheon will be held at the Sea Pines Country Club on May 4th at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hilton Head Humane Association or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.