Madeline Ann Cramer, our beloved Maddie, was born on February 26, 1995. She came so quickly to

us that she was born in the elevator at Swedish Hospital on the way up to a birthing room. This

exuberance for life was her defining characteristic, and at the center of her soul.

After adventures with her sister Caroline in Sheryl’s wonderful care, she entered preschool at the

Willows, Arapahoe Hills. She entered Colorado Academy for Preschool, and her beloved teachers

Jenny Ledger, Carol Rosberg, and Debra Pritchard discovered she was a wonderful, but a much

different person than her big sister Caroline! She loved school, loved activities, and in her

application to Preschool we wrote: “Madeline Cramer is a very special person – she wakes each day

with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.” So very true for so very long.

Maddie grew up quickly when Juliet was born, and they became quite close as Maddie loved to

attend to all things Juliet, and Juliet was a very happy understudy! Our vacations were epic, as our

girls were able to see Europe, Mexico, and Hawaii together – which ignited a passion for travel that

simply grew over time!

After she completed her freshman year of High School at CA she transferred into the IB program at

Lakewood HS. She excelled at the performing arts, and blossomed in the much larger population

and diversity available. She not only was a gifted actress, but began writing poetry and performing

with Minor Disturbance, culminating in a 2013 Slam World Championship at Brave New Voices in

Chicago. For the less timid, here’s a link to one of their winning slams,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Sv-DSGCss.

She entered Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in August 2013 as Drama major, receiving two

scholarships recognizing her potential. She won a role in the fall production, which was rare, and a

lead role in the spring production. She was a wonderful actress, so calm and commanding onstage,

attracting attention and respect as she took you on a journey. She decided to return to Colorado to

be in a more inclusive and diverse environment at CU Boulder for her college experience, and

unfortunately this is when her illness began to manifest.

Over the next eight years Maddie fought incredibly hard against her bipolar disorder. Eventually

she seemed to come to an understanding that she needed a team of professionals, family, and loving friends to continue to build that beautiful life that was waiting for her. What was unknown and unclear to everyone is that the damage the trauma had left behind could not be counseled, or loved into silent submission. She was and continues to be immensely loved.

Maddie was a brilliant, kind, compassionate woman of many talents. The twist of a phrase, the hook

of a song, the color of the sky – nothing escaped her notice, nothing went unappreciated. She made

us all better people, she challenged us all to broaden our outlook, soften our edges, rethink our

entrenchments. Maddie made all of us better.

She left us for a lasting peace, finally at rest and released from sorrow, pain, anguish, and worry.

Her hope was always for a better world, and we wish to spread her desires to all who knew her, and

all who seek peace and comfort.

Jeff, Pam, Caroline, and Juliet