Marilyn A. Cramer

Marilyn Ann Cramer, 80, of Westminster, MD, passed on from this life on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at her home. She was born on April 20, 1944, in Monroe, LA, to parents Air Force Second Lieutenant John Cahalan and spouse, Evelyn (McDonald) Cahalan. She was the loving spouse of retired Army Colonel Edward Cramer, her lovie of 60 years. She graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1962, and attended the University of New Hampshire (UNH), leaving school to marry Ed as he was commissioned in the Army in 1964. As a military dependent and wife, she moved upwards of 40 times, relocating her family with Ed to Georgia, Maryland, New York, Panama, California, Kansas, Germany, Virginia, and then again to Maryland. With a deep spiritual calling and desire to support and serve others, she worked on her undergraduate degree first at UNH and then continued at St Leo College where she earned dual Bachelor's of Arts in psychology and religious studies. She completed certificate programs in philosophy from Virginia Wesleyan and from Old Dominion Universities. She earned two advanced degrees, a Master's in pastoral counseling from Loyola College in Maryland and concurrently a Master's of divinity (theology) from Washington Theological Union. She completed the Catholic training for priesthood though, per the religion's limitations, could not be ordained. She served at the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Leadership Development, creating programs for counseling and pre-marital preparation. She was a lifelong student and teacher of religion, spirituality, and universal Love. Her reminders were frequent for us to all find peace among us, focusing on our commonality and Compassion for one another instead of focusing on our differences. She had a black belt in Tai Chi, was a Reiki Master, and achieved certification as a natural crystal healer. She sponsored orphaned and in-need children and gave to causes throughout the world with regular charitable contributions and supportive efforts. She is survived by beloved children Michele Cramer-Macera and husband, Greg Macera; son Steven Cramer; daughter Laura Cramer and husband, Stephen Petricone; and daughter Cari Cramer Pierce and husband Trent Pierce. Her cherished granddaughters, Meghan and Madelyn Macera, and Sofie and Ana Petricone, held a special place in her "Mema" heart. Also surviving her are her only sister Denise McCarthy and one of her brothers, Robert Cahalan, as well as several nieces and nephews. No open services are planned. The family thanks Carroll Hospital Center, BridgingLife, WeCare Private Duty Services, and Hartzler Funeral Home for their guidance and assistance for Marilyn's end-of-life care. To honor Marilyn or her surviving loved ones, consider making your own charitable contributions, helping another human being today, or efforting to look up and out to see and respond to need by treating each other with lovingkindness. LYUTTSDTTGWAW