Marjorie Chema

March 22, 1949 - November 17, 2015
Marjorie Chema

Gifts & Memorial Donations



Dr. Marjorie Josephine Cram Chema, 65, passed away peacefully at her home in Williamsburg on Tuesday morning, November 17, 2015 after succumbing to non-smokers’ lung cancer. Born in Exeter, New Hampshire, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Leavitt Cram and the late Rosemarie Olivo Cram. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Ramon Cram. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Dr. Michael H. Chema, her brothers, Carlos Cram, Ralph Cram, and her sister, Mary Cram.

Marjorie Chema graduated Commonwealth High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1967 and continued on to receive her 1971 BS Degree in Microbiology from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and her 1979 Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Dr. Chema was the Dental Consultant, Division of Health Care Services, DMAS, Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond. She was a member of the Virginia Dental Association, the Mechanicsville Virginia Riding Club, the Belmead Riding Club and Stables and additionally, Hickory Neck Episcopal Church in Toano. Marjorie will be remembered for her love of horses and her skills at gardening arrangements as a Master Gardener.

Dr. Marjorie Chema served our country in the United States Air Force Medical Service Dental Corps and established the Cram-Chema Dental practice in Exeter, New Hampshire.

In accordance with her wishes, Dr. Marjorie Chema will be cremated and her cremated remains scattered at a sentimental family location in Puerto Rico at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory, can be made to FrancisEmma, Inc, a non-profit organization currently located at Belmead on the James, 5004 Cartersville Rd., Powhatan, VA 24139. This 2500 acre property, with a live-in castle, is dedicated to non-development and is an environment-protected site overlooking the James River. It is especially used for horse trail riding with overnight horsetrailor stays and soon became a favorite location for Dr. Chema to trailer her horses overnight with all of her riding companions.

Cremation Arrangements are entrusted to Bucktrout Funeral Home of Williamsburg.

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  • November 22, 2015
    Debbie (Dyer) Craighead says:
    I, too, was so saddened to hear of Marji's passing. I knew her many years ago when she and Mike were stationed at Langley AFB. Both Chema's were kind, fun, smart and genuinely wonderful to be around. My favorite memory was an amazing Thanksgiving I got to spend with them, their friends and family. It truly was the best Thanksgiving I ever had. I cherish those memories. I also loved her heartfelt and insightful Christmas cards each year. Marji you will be missed by so many friends and your family. Mike you have my deepest sympathy, love and prayers. Heaven received an angel when Marji left her earthly home.

  • June 03, 2016
    John panzek says:
    So sad to hear about Ma, truly a bright star on our planet, feel grateful to have known her, truly a wonderful human being, God bless her

  • December 07, 2015
    Susanna Parsons says:
    Doctor Mike, It was such an honor to have worked for, and with, yourself and Margie. Richard and I will be forever grateful, and will never forget your every kindness. "Sometimes people come into our lives, and quietly go. Others may stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts.....and we are never the same!" Respectfully, Susanna E. Parsons, Hampton, New Hampshire

  • November 30, 2015
    Priscilla Merrill says:
    What a lovely person outside and in! I had so many laughs with her while fellow officers in the USAF. Though I hadn't seen her in years, we remained email buddies and shared laughs and smiles and mutual love of animals.

  • November 30, 2015
    Priscilla Merrill says:
    What a lovely person outside and in! I had so many laughs with her while fellow officers in the USAF. Though I hadn't seen her in years, we remained email buddies and shared laughs and smiles and mutual love of animals.