Obituary of Florence S. Kraeuter

: Florence Burt Shaw Kraeuter Florence Kraeuter (Flo), was born July 9, 1909 in Philadelphia, Pa and died in Cape May, NJ in the presence of friends on September 8, 2009. She was the daughter of William and Mary Shaw, and since her father was a minister, she and her brother William Shaw of New Orleans, LA (deceased) moved frequently throughout the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area. Florence graduated from Dickinson College with a double degree in French and English in 1930, spent a short time in France and began teaching at Clinton High School in Clinton, NJ. On June 25, 1937, she married Norman Kraeuter (deceased after 56 years of marriage on April 5, 1993). She and her husband moved to Florida in the 1950's and she taught French and was the guidance counselor at Seabreeze High in Daytona Beach, Florida until she retired. A high percentage of her students went on to college, often with scholarships. She was very proud of them and followed their progress for years. In addition to her devotion to helping students, Flo had boundless energy and loved the ocean and swimming. She spent teenage summers with relatives in Atlantic City, NJ and would tell stories of entering the water in the inlet and swimming with the outgoing tide until she reached the beach front. On their honeymoon in the summer of 1937 she and Norman toured the east coast from NJ to Maine until they found a spot which she considered perfect. They spent a few weeks each summer at this spot, Goose Rocks Beach, near Kennebunkport, Maine. After the fire of 1947, land became available and she and her husband developed Maritime Cottages in Goose Rocks Beach which they operated during summers until her son and his wife took over in the 1990's. Here at Goose Rocks she was well known for her daily swim in the brisk waters of the Atlantic, an activity she thoroughly enjoyed. Florence celebrated her 100th birthday on July 9, 2009 and was well and thoughtfully remembered by lots of special people, many of whom were former students. She is survived by her son John, his wife Carol of Cape May, NJ, her grandsons, Erik Kraeuter, Kirtis Kraeuter and his wife, Jennifer, and her new great-granddaughter, Paige Elizabeth, who was born just weeks before her passing. Donations to your local hospice or other care facility in Florence's name would be appreciated.