Obituary of Emma Treml

Emma Treml of Chapel Hill, 92, passed away peacefully September 23, 2024 at Duke’s Hospice Center. 

Emma Miroshnichenko (Miro) Treml was born on January 29, 1932 in Rostov-on-Don in the Soviet Union.  During the Second World War, she escaped with her family through Poland to Germany, where they spent over two years in a labor camp. In 1947, she and her family immigrated to the United States, where she later became a US citizen.  In New York, she met her husband, Vladimir, and they were married in 1952. There they formed lifelong friendships within the Russian community.  

Their life together took them to Camp Lejeune; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Munich, Germany; Berkeley, California; Sapporo, Japan and Moscow, Russia.  However, the majority of their life was spent in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where they raised their three children. They cultivated a love of world travel including family beach and ski trips. 

After beginning her career at Duke University, Emma continued teaching at the University of North Carolina as a Russian Language Instructor.  Starting in the 1960s, she took students and faculty on numerous tours to the Soviet Union. She was a gifted tour guide who introduced the groups to life in the Soviet Union and Russian culture.  

Emma was the ultimate hostess who took great pride in entertaining faculty and students as well as opening her home to visiting dignitaries, and countless friends and family. Those included Russian authors, poets, musicians and even the 1974 Soviet track and field team.  She was an extraordinary cook serving the best “zakuskis” and “piroshki” at every event.

Without a doubt, her favorite role in life was Grandmother and she even retired from teaching to welcome her first granddaughter.  Fondly known as “Bobbie” to her four granddaughters and their friends, she was very much a part of their childhood. She passed on her passion for cooking, her love of the arts, her flair for fashion and her warm and vibrant spirit. 

Emma is predeceased in death by her husband of 66 years, Vladimir Treml. She is survived by her three children: Irene Treml Cagney and husband Bill Cagney of Chapel Hill; Tania Treml of Chapel Hill; Alex Treml of Chapel Hill; and her four granddaughters: Colleen Cagney Connolly and her husband Bill Connolly of Newburyport, Massachusetts; Maggie Cagney Ellison and her husband Justin Ellison of Denver, Colorado; Emmie Cagney of Chapel Hill; and Lydia Treml of Denver, Colorado.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, those caring to make a donation, may do so in Emma’s name to the Holy Transfiguration Church, 3491 Pleasant Grove Church Rd, Morrisville, NC 27560.  

The family would like to thank the staff who cared for her at Brookdale-Meadowmont, Hillcrest Convalescent Center and the Hock Family Pavilion of Duke Hospital.