By Sarah Richardson
Former Lewisburg resident Eileen Kramer, who made headlines around the world throughout her impressive dance career, passed away peacefully on Nov. 15 at her home in Australia just one week after her 110th birthday. Eileen, who was born in 1914, resided in West Virginia from 1988 to 2013. She first lived in Hinton before moving to Lewisburg in 1992. She was heavily involved with the Trillium Performing Arts as a core artist, has written several books, and is featured in numerous films. Her latest memoir, Life Keeps Me Dancing, was published by Pam Macmillan in 2023 when she was 108.
Her IMDB profile quotes her as saying (at the age of 107), “I’m not old. I’ve just been here a long time.”
A dynamic force within the dance community, she left a mark wherever she traveled with her passion for movement and her unforgettable personality. What Eileen gave to the world was more than just the joy of witnessing beauty in motion. She taught us that dance is a celebration of life itself – an art that is constantly evolving and reaching for new heights, no matter the stage or the age of the artist.
Her legacy lives on in the countless dancers she mentored, in the performances that still echo in our minds, and in the memory of a woman who danced not only with her body – but with her soul.
