Daisy Schramm Sweet, longtime educator, died on May 25, 2010 at the Cayuga Medical Center. Daisy was born on August 13, 1937 in Tarrytown, NY to Winston and Daisy Sharples. She grew up with both her grandparents, William and Mary Sharples, in Agawam, MA and with her father and stepmother, Carmela, in Coral Gables, FL, until the family moved to Pound Ridge, NY in 1951. She graduated from New Canaan (CT) High School in 1955 and from Bennington College in 1959 as an American Studies Major. Soon after graduation, she married Richard Schramm and moved to Pittsburgh, PA where she started her family and began her life’s work as an educator. The family lived briefly in Larchmont, NY before moving to Ithaca in 1968.
Daisy was an educator, mentor, organizer, and leader in every aspect of her life. She started her teaching career in Pittsburgh, PA at the Ellis School for Girls and continued this career in Ithaca where she worked for over 40 years as a teacher at Cornell Preschool, Belle Sherman Elementary School and Enfield Elementary School, as well as a mentor to other teachers, and an alternative tutor since she retired in 1999. Throughout her career, she demonstrated a deep commitment to children and their families and great understanding and concern about what her students were experiencing at home and at school. Through her work, she met James (Jake) Sweet, former Personnel Director for the Ithaca City School District. They were married in 1976.
Daisy was active in a variety of community organizations. She was President of The Cayuga Chimes women’s barbershop chorus, a volunteer and board member with the Family Reading Partnership, President of the Twilight Women’s Golf League, and board member and radio co-host for Lifelong. In all aspects of her life, she touched many people with her generosity, thoughtfulness, and sense of humor. We will all miss the sparkle in her eyes and the love in her heart.
Daisy is survived by her son Kurt Schramm and his wife Lynn of Allen, TX, her daughter Katherine McLaughlin and her husband Chris of Westmoreland, NH, and her daughter Lisa Goldsmith and her husband Jonah of Northampton, MA, and by six wonderful grandchildren: Payton and Parker Schramm, Max and Sophie McLaughlin, and Lily and Celia Goldsmith. Daisy leaves a brother Winston Sharples and his wife Ruth of Rochester, MA and brother Michael Sharples and his wife Debbie of Middleburg, VA. She also leaves her very dear friend Michael Moseley, and her loving dog, Gutza.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Daisy's life to be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at Lakewatch Inn, 1636 East Shore Drive, Ithaca, NY. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Daisy are encouraged to consider the Family Reading Partnership, 54 Gunderman Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. www.familyreading.org. Bangs Funeral Home  is assisting the family.