Mary Audree' Kraemer's Obituary
Mary Audrée Kraemer, best known as Audrée, was born February 15, 1937, in Boston, MA, daughter of Arthur and Florence Dias. She graduated from high school at the Academy of the Assumption, Wellesley, MA, attended Georgetown University, Washington, DC, School of Nursing, graduating in 1959. She met future husband Karl while in college, they were married October 31, 1959, St. Paul’s church, Wellesley, MA. Karl’s Air Force career took the couple to residences in Delaware, Alabama, Japan, Georgia, Oklahoma and California.
Besides her work as a registered nurse, Audrée was always active in volunteer work. She was active at St. Adelaide School PTG, and Girl Scouts, and worked as a volunteer for the San Bernardino Blood Bank, including health fairs, local drives plus being a 17 gallon pure blood donor. She was active with the Highland Friends of the Library, the Highland Woman’s Club, Santa Claus Incorporated and Highland Historical Society, serving as an officer in all of them. While Norton AFB was open she was active in the Officers’ Wives Club and when the base closed, helped form the Norton Alumni group for wives which still meets once a month. She was active in the Cal Tech Mother’s Group when daughter Kathleen was attending the university. She was very active in the Orange Empire Military Officers Club serving as the Sunshine Lady. She also worked as a substitute teacher for both the Diocese of San Bernardino and public schools. She has worked as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Adelaide Church for many years.
Because of her generous volunteer work she has received many awards. In 1998 she received a League of Women Voters Award, in 1999 she was awarded a Staples Star at Staples Center in Los Angeles, in 2004 she received a Blood Bank Award. In 2009 she was named a Woman of Distinction by State Representative Robert Dutton. In 2010 she received the Blood Banks highest award.
After Karl’s retirement the couple enjoyed traveling, especially river and ocean cruises, having taken about 30, plus numerous visits to Hawaii. She thoroughly enjoyed the experiences and was thankful for the opportunities to do so.
Audrée is survived by Karl, her husband of 55 years, three daughters, Patricia and her husband Jim, of Glendale, CA, Diane of Huntington Beach, CA, Kathleen and her husband Tim of Newton, MA.
There will be viewing from 5pm to 7pm, Tuesday, July 21, at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel, 1299 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA. On Wednesday, July 22, Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10am at St. Adelaide Church, 27457 Baseline, Highland, CA. Burial will follow on July 22, at 12:30pm at Riverside National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Orange Empire Military Officers scholarship fund, PO Box 9074, Redlands, CA, 92375.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?