Betty Kraemer, 81, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at home in the Tidewater Community of North Myrtle Beach, with her husband, Stuart Nickerson and her daughter Pattie Shaw, at her side.
Born and raised in Jersey City, NJ on October 21, 1939, the daughter of Vera Waters Ringle and William Ringle, Sr. Betty is predeceased by her sister, Susan Taylor, who passed away in 2018 and her brother, William Ringle, who passed away in 2007.
Betty attended the Academy of St. Aloysius in Jersey City and went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree from Jersey City State College. She began her professional endeavors teaching elementary education in Berkeley Township (Ocean County), New Jersey. Betty’s love of children and her goals of making their educational experience a positive one, logically led to her participation in the Ocean County Education Association to which Betty was eventually elected President. At the same time, Betty participated in the New Jersey Education Association’s (NJEA) County Presidents Council rising to the office of President. Her love of politics was encouraged by her father, a local politician in Jersey City. Betty also served as a member of the Delegate Assembly, the policy-making body of the NJEA. Then, in 1983 Betty was elected Secretary-Treasurer, two years later she was elected Vice-President, and in 1989 President of the Association, with 150,000 members, making it the second largest affiliate of the National Education Association. One of the achievements of which Betty was most proud was the creation of the Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education.
During her presidency Betty led the fight to maintain teachers’ and educational support staff pensions; she was instrumental in protecting public employees’ rights and privileges; fought against reducing funding to public schools; and encouraged local associations to support school board elections that would ensure positive funding levels for public schools. Betty’s personal missions always centered on improving living conditions for those who were less fortunate. At her retirement dinner, she was lauded because of her commitment to New Jersey’s teachers and educational support staff.
Surviving are Betty’s husband of 25 years, Stuart Nickerson; her eldest daughter Susan Chamblee of Cary, NC; her daughter Patricia Shaw of Carolina Shores, NC; her son Richard Shaw, Jr. of Little River, SC; and Michael Shaw of Denver, CO.; grandchildren and great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in Lee Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education, 180 W State Street, Trenton, NJ 08607.
Online condolences may be sent to www.leefhandcrematory.com.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.
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