Thelma L (Diehl) Eichman

Thelma Lillian (Diehl) Eichman, 93, formerly of Hyattsville, MD, passed away in Leesburg, FL on December 24 2018.

Thelma was born August 16, 1925, in Baltimore, MD, the first of six children, to Charles Philip and Gladys Matilda (Cloman) Diehl. In 1934 the family moved to Chillum, MD. Thelma graduated from Mt. Rainier High School.

She was married to John “Jack” Eichman from 1942 until his death in 1999.

They resided in Hyattsville, MD for 40 years. In retirement, they wintered in Key Largo, FL and spent the summers in Annapolis, MD. In 2000, Thelma moved full-time to Leesburg, FL, where she remained until her death.

The Hattie M. Strong Foundation, in Washington, D.C., employed Thelma for 35 years as Assistant Treasurer, Secretary and Director of Grants. She retired in August 1990 and was elected to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, on which she served until 2002. Thereafter, she was elected Director Emerita.

Thelma was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her four sisters and their husbands, Ester (Keith) Braley, Naomi (James “Windy”) Gould, Doris (Donald) Finch and Nancy (Minas) Frangoulis, and one brother, Charles P. (Ellen) Diehl, Jr.

Thelma is survived by her daughters, Janet (Larry, d.) Panebaker of San Diego, CA and Karen (Daniel Moffett) Eichman of Newark, DE, four grandchildren, Jacqueline Panebaker of San Diego, CA and Charleston, SC,

Brent (Sherri) Panebaker of Hanover, PA, John (Celeste) Babbitt of Williamsburg, VA, SSGT Jason Babbitt, U.S. Army, of Clarksville, TN, three greatgrandsons, Conner Babbitt of Clarksville, TN, and Trent Sellers and Alex Babbitt of Williamsburg, VA, and many loving nieces and nephews.

A private interment will take place in the spring, at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD.