Pamela Marie Chen passed away quietly on Sunday August 5th at her
sister’s home in Needham after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was
42 years old. A veterinarian and small animal acupuncturist by training, Pam was an avid cyclist and runner, active with the Columbus Running Club as well as Columbus Outdoor Pursuits. She ran in the Boston Marathon and was registered to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge this year. Born in Leonard Morse Hospital, Natick, Pamela grew up in Needham. She was a graduate of Needham High School Class of 1983, earned a BS in Biology from Boston College 1987, a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991, and certification in veterinary acupuncture through IVAS in 2004. Prior to her diagnosis, Pamela resided in Columbus where she practiced at the Powell Veterinary Clinic and also practiced small animal acupuncture privately. Pam loved animals and was a compassionate and empathetic advocate for both her clients and their owners. Pamela was the devoted daughter of Joseph and Michaeline (Fu) Chen of Needham. She is survived by her boyfriend, Gregory Gleason, of Dublin, OH; her siblings, Mark (Meg) of New York City, David of Needham, Thomas (Faith) of Sudbury, Carolyn Lueders (Mark) of Needham, and Philip Chen of Delaware. Dear aunt of Rachael and Joseph Chen; Caitlin, Jordan, Sam and Hannah Chen; and Nicholas, Paul, Benjamin and Marah Lueders. Niece of Aloysius and Martha Chen of Chicago, Paul and Jacqueline Chu, and Andrew Fu, all of Taiwan, and the late Chen Dun of Beijing. China. Dear cousin of Matthew and Zachary of Chicago, Natalie Chu (Richard Cantwell) of Boston, Chen Na, Chen Jing, Chen Liang, Ge Xiao-Xing, Chen Xi, and Dong Peng of Beijing, China, and Theresa and John Fu of Taiwan. Last, but not least, she is also survived by her cats, Emo and Sherman, her dog Dillan, and her horse Shiloh.
Funeral services will be held at the First Parish of Dedham Unitarian 670 High St. on Saturday August 11th at 10: 00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting Hours at the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Friday from 4-8 PM. Interment at Highland Cemetery in Dover. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pam’s memory may be sent to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute 44 Binney St. Boston MA 02215, or to Faith Mission Homeless Shelter c/o Lutheran Social Services 750 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43205 – on the memo line, write: memorial for Pam Chen to Faith Mission.
You filled our lives with love and gratitude. We will miss you forever.