CHICOPEE – Thelma H. (Dietrich) Giera, 93, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, July 3, 2014. She passed into Eternal Life at her home surrounded by all the memories she loved and cherished. She was born in Toledo, Ohio on June 27, 1921, a daughter of the late Joseph and Gertrude (Justin) Dietrich. At a young age, she came to Chicopee with her parents where she was raised. She graduated in 1937 at the age of 16 from Chicopee High School and was nearly a lifelong resident of Chicopee. She was previously employed at the former Dietrich Florist in Chicopee and later worked at Steiger’s Department Store in Holyoke. She was last employed as an account representative at the former Holyoke Savings Bank, which later became Vanguard Savings Bank, in Holyoke. During her younger years using the nickname of Tommy, Thelma played semi-pro baseball and basketball. She was also a longtime 4-H Club Leader in Chicopee. She was a fantastic cook who specialized in Polish and German food. Her annual Polish party in February was a big hit with her family. During her leisure time in the summer months, Thelma enjoyed cultivating her beautiful rose garden which was admired by her family and her many neighbors. She assisted her daughter, Patricia for many years in making her famous tote bags which she sold at many of the local craft fairs. Most of all, she was a wonderful homemaker to her family and showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. Active in her faith, she was a longtime communicant of the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett where she was a past president of the Saint Mary Ladies Guild. She was predeceased by her infant daughter, Carol Ann Giera; and her husband, August S. Giera who was Called Home on August 17, 1997. She leaves her devoted daughter, Patricia L. Raymond, of Chicopee; her three grandchildren, Wende L. Rund and her husband, Charles of Plainville, CT, John F. Raymond and his wife, Audrie of Granby, and Scott A. Raymond and his wife, Colleen of West Springfield; her three great-grandchildren, Madeline V. Rund, Nolan F. Raymond and Arianna I. Albano; her former son-in-law, Francis J. Raymond of South Hadley; and her many nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended members of the Giera and Dietrich families. Besides her parents, daughter, and husband, she was also predeceased by her two sisters, Gertrude MacIver and Ruth Downs. Her funeral will be held on Saturday morning, July 12, 2014 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, July 11, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of the donor’s choice. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com