Sylvia "Symme" Berman Kramer

August 5, 1931 - January 27, 2022

WORCESTER – Sylvia “Symme” (Kaplan) Berman Kramer, age 90, died at the Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester after a brief period of declining health. Symme was born in Worcester, a daughter of Selig and Bessie (Karbelnick) Kaplan. A graduate of Commerce High School, she worked for many years at State Mutual Life Insurance Company in Worcester and then as the receptionist in what is now the Jewish Healthcare Center. Symme was married to and predeceased by two wonderful men. For 29 years, she was married to Arthur “Pinky” Berman; Symme loved to sing along with his guitar, and they harmonized in song and in life. After his passing, Symme married Herman Kramer, with whom she traveled extensively until his death in 1996. Even then, Symme continued to travel. In 2000, she moved near her oldest daughter in Maryland for a two year “adventure” that became an 18-year-long stay. In Maryland, she became an accomplished hand quilter and traveled the country with her beloved art appreciation group. She returned to Worcester in 2018 to reside at Eisenberg Assisted Living, where she spent four happy years among family and friends. We give heartfelt thanks to the superb management and staff at Eisenberg for creating such a nurturing community. Symme and Pinky were a founding family of Archway, Inc., a nonprofit agency that supports group homes for profoundly autistic people, where she also served on the board of directors. Their daughter, Lisa, has been lovingly cared for at Archway for much of her life. Symme spent years following her grandsons’ sporting events, returning to Worcester for many of their games. She inspired her granddaughter’s enthusiasm for fiber art. She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her daughter, Paula Berman Shantzis and husband Steven of Arnold, Maryland; her son, Bob Berman and wife Andrea of Worcester; her daughter, Lisa Berman of Leicester; and her beloved grandchildren, Abby Shantzis, Zachary Berman, and Matthew Berman. Out of an abundance of caution, graveside services at B’nai Brith Cemetery in Worcester will be private. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden. Memorial Contributions may be made to Archway, Inc, 77 Mulberry Street, Leicester, MA 01524.