Phyllis L. Dietrich, 76, of Blandon, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 in her residence. She was the wife of Ralph W. Dietrich, they celebrated 52 years of marriage on January 16th.
Born in Hudson, New York on June 11, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Harold John Powers, Sr. and Ruth G. (Harder) Powers. She was a 1958 graduate of Ockawamick Central School. Following graduation she entered the U. S. Navy. She was ststioned at Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas where she was the first woman to complete the base's Navy Mess Cook course. She held the rank of Seaman in the Navy.
Phyllis had worked at the Fleetwood Shirt Corporation and then for her father in law John T. Dietrich Commerical Refrigation, Fleetwood for ten years. She than worked for Carl R.Bieber, Inc, for many years. Her last employment was as lead cook with the Bernadine Franciscan Sisters at Sacred Heart Villa, Reading, retiring in 2005.
Phyllis or "Phillie" as she was often called, was a kind and loving person who enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends. She loved knitting , doing crossword puzzles, canning, baking cookies and traveling. Being from New York she was a Yankee fan.
Survived by her husband Ralph and children Colonel Michael S. Dietrich husband of Barbara Dietrich of Oley; David W. Dietrich husband of Selena Dietrich of Gilbertsville and Robin K, Dietrich of Blandon. Grandchildren: Casey, Matthew, Nathanial and Rhiannon. Also many nieces and nephews,
Other survivors include siblings Patricia Ann (Powers) Harder, Hudson, NY; Harold John Powers, Jr. Eugene, OR., Linda J.( Powers) Secor, Dutchess County, NY and Paul M. Powers, Baldwinsville, NY.
Phyllis was preceded in death by a daughter Selina A. Dietrich.
A viewing will be held Sunday from 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. at the Mae Stump Funeral Home, Inc., 117 West Main Street, Fleetwood, PA, and Monday 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00a.m. Burial will be at the Berks Memorial Gardens. Contribution in Phyllis's memory can be made to either Bernadine Sisters, 450 St Bernadine Street, Reading, PA 19607, American Cancer Society, 498 Bellevue Av., Reading, PA 19605 or Berks Visiting Nurse c/o Hospice, 1170 Berkshire Blvd., Reading, PA 19610.