Thelma L. Dionne

On Monday, October 2nd 2023, Thelma Leona Dionne, peacefully passed away at the age of 94 at her home in Columbia, SC. Thelma was adventurous, fiery, and inspiring. She gave us a glimpse of a world many of us didn’t know existed and she welcomed and challenged us to enter it. Eventually the world became part of our family because of her. She inspired us to think, “If Thelma can travel and do all that, why can’t I?” And, travel she did.

She was born on a farm in Thorne, ND to August and Hermine (Bérubé) Dionne. After high school, she worked as a telephone operator in Minneapolis, MN and Chicago, IL. She then moved to Vallejo, CA to work as a key punch operator at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

In 1952, she joined the U.S. Dept. of State working in communications. In the following 27 years, she traveled the world at different locations about every two years. She lived life fully at every stop, including tiger hunting atop an elephant in Vietnam, fly fishing in Africa, golfing from Australia to Scotland, crossing the desert from Lebanon, speeding her sports car around her beloved Italy, and skiing in Norway. And this was on top of her job to keep government communications secure as a diplomatic attaché.

Thelma retired in 1979 to Ventura, CA where she enjoyed a good life among family and friends and continued playing golf as the consummate athlete she was. In 2006, she accepted a gracious offer from her niece to move to Columbia, SC, where her niece promised to look after her until her passing. As she successfully did throughout her life, she moved, made new friends, and enjoyed her new home. Using a phrase she’d often say in her characteristically gravelly and spirited voice, we’d like to repeat it here in fond memory of her, “Good on ya” Thelma. Thank you for inspiring us. We will miss you.

She is survived by her sister, Lorraine (John) Buckley, Land O Lakes, FL; and numerous inspired cousins, nieces, nephews; great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends. Notably, those who provided their dedicated love and support in her final years - Linda Mole and Debbie Thigpen, of Columbia, SC.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Hylas and Emma (Cassavant) Dionne; maternal grandparents, Arthur and Victorine (Mongeon) Bérubé; parents, August and Hermine (Bérubé) Dionne; brother, Eugene (Ardis) Dionne; sister, Lillian (Jim) Dymock; and sister, Dora (Donald) Diepolder.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 2229 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29204 in memory of Thelma L. Dionne.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 P.M., November 15, 2023 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 2229 Hampton St. Columbia, SC 29204. A burial will be held at a later date at the Saint Louis Cemetery, Dunseith, ND. Additional details will be provided in local newspapers and via email in the following months.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elmwoodfhcolumbia.com for the Dionne family.