Helma was born in Munich, Germany but grew up in Nuremburg. There, she met her husband, Lieutenant James Riley Hiers, married, and moved to the US in 1956. The Hiers were one of the early families associated with the blossoming NASA Space Program in Brevard County in 1959.
She is survived by her three daughters: Katharina Ray (husband Carl), Leslie Tamayo (husband Ernest), and Barbara Sweeney (husband John). She was the very proud grandmother of seven grandchildren: Jamie (Ray) Cutright, Laura (Ray) French, Shannon Tamayo, Andrew Tamayo, Rebecca Tamayo, Juliet Sweeney, and Jane Sweeney. Furthermore, she was blessed with 2 great-granddaughters: Emma Cutright and Madison French.
Her Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Visitation will take place from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm and a Service at 3:30 pm at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, Florida.
