Obituary of Thelma R. Pilia

Thelma R. Pilia Thelma R. Pilia, 87, of Rome, passed away Monday, December 29, 2008 at Bethany Gardens. She was born in Rome, N.Y. on October 29, 1921 daughter of the late August and Mary Pace Richards. Thelma graduated from Rome Free Academy. On August 7, 1948, she married John Pilia, who passed away November 12, 1970. Thelma retired from Griffiss Air Force Base. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Samuel and Gina Pilia, Douglasville, Ga.; two grandchildren, Nikki Pilia and her husband J.B. Chisnell, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and John Pilia, Douglasville, Ga. Also surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, William and Bernice Richards, Clemson, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters, Katherine Kozma, Carmel Giardino, and Rita Rasmussen. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St. Burial will be in St Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 100 Lomond Court , Utica, N.Y. 13502.