Petra Edith Waltraud Kirchner Chambers, age 78, a resident of Washington, died July 4, 2018, at Vidant Inpatient Hospice in Greenville.

The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington. A memorial service will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory, conducted by Travis Boyd.

Mrs. Chambers was born in Heiligenstadt, Germany, on April 25, 1940. She was the daughter of the late Karl and Christine Jans Kirchner. Mrs. Chambers was a retired accountant and worked for several multi-national software companies.

She had many passions in life and lived life to the fullest. A former refugee from East Germany, she lived her dream of becoming an American. She adored spoiling her grandchildren. She loved to travel and explore America and to visit family in Germany. A lifelong swimmer, she loved the ocean and the beach and was delighted to live beside the Pamlico River. She was a staunch advocate of animals and contributed to many organizations in support of wildlife and pets. She loved people and was known for her warm outgoing personality, big heart and generosity. A friend of Bill W, she was particularly kind to those who were most in need, both those she knew personally and through generous support of numerous charities.

On June 5, 2006, she married her long-time love, William Michael Basso, who survives.

Surviving with her husband are her daughter, Dr. Inken Chambers VanCura and husband Leonard John VanCura, of Washington; grandchildren, Devon VanCura and Tianna VanCura, both of Washington; grandchildren-by-marriage, Ian Tercero, Shane Tercero, Chelsea Glover, Julia Germain, Robert Germain, Mia Basso, Joseph Basso, James Bass and Jonathan Basso; and two sisters, Erika Hoehndorf and Doris Freise, both of Hannover, Germany.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Chambers was preceded in death by her first husband, H. Clayton Chambers; a stepdaughter, Fiona Chambers; and brother, Karl Heinz Kirchner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Beaufort County Humane Society, The Wildlife Conservation Society, International Rescue Committee, Cancer Research Institute or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Chambers family.