Thelma R. Charvat, 95, of Dillonvale, Ohio died July 28, 2022 at the Continuous Care Center of Wheeling Hospital. She was born as a Valentine baby on February 14, 1927, in Santa Clara, CA, the daughter of David and Ruth Cunha.

Thelma was the valedictorian of her high school class in Santa Clara and then started college at San Jose State. Her college education was interrupted when she met her future husband, Joseph Charvat, who was serving in the US Navy during WWII. After the wedding, they moved to the Ohio Valley in 1946. She initially worked in the family beverage distributing business before returning to school at Ohio University and then returning to her home state for one semester to finish her teaching degree at San Jose State University. She then served as an elementary school teacher in Jefferson County. She was an active member of the Dillonvale Presbyterian Church as well as the American Legion Auxiliary. She also provided support to the local Lions Club and Scouting organizations. She was active with a local card club and did various volunteer work.

After Thelma retired from teaching, she and her husband wintered in Vero Beach, FL. They enjoyed picking strawberries and sending citrus fruit to friends and family. They also were very active in social activities which included going to the LA Dodgers spring baseball games. At one game, Thelma was able to meet Dodger manager, Tommy Lasorda. Thelma and Joe also traveled the globe going to over 20 countries and made it to five continents. Some of these trips included cruises in the Caribbean Sea and off Tahiti. On these trips they often went with friends or family. Thelma even managed to be kissed by Guy Lombardo and dance with Don Ho.

Thelma was famous for hosting parties on their deck or in her house in Dillonvale which often included local guests as well as guests from many states and various foreign countries. Fine food and entertainment made these gatherings quite famous. Although she had many dishes folks loved, some of the most beloved recipes were her lasagna, her vanilla sticks, and her fruit filled cookies. Her recipes have been taken to South America, Europe, and Asia.

The last five years, Thelma lived at the award-winning Elmhurst assisted living facility in Wheeling and really appreciated the friendship of the other residents as well as the excellent support from the caring staff.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents David and Ruth Cunha of Santa Clara, CA, her stepmother, Sarah Cunha of Santa Clara, CA as well as her sister Pauline Robertson of San Diego, CA and her brother Daniel Cunha of Mt. View, CA. Surviving is a son, David Charvat and his wife, Sarah Webb of Wheeling, WV, her daughter DeLayne Buchholtz and her husband Roger of Cocoa Beach, FL, her daughter Lori Charvat and her wife Sheila Woody of Vancouver, Canada, her brother Gary Pacheco and his wife Rita of Santa Clara, CA, three grandchildren: Rainey Moscato and her husband Stephen of Lorain, OH, Julia Och and her husband, Luke, of Carnegie, PA, and Daniel Charvat of Speers, PA as well as three great grandchildren, Mila and Armin Moscato of Lorain, OH and Henry Och of Carnegie, PA, and beloved nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received to pay tribute to Thelma and celebrate her life on Sunday, July 31st from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Borkoski Funeral Home (337 Jefferson St., Tiltonsville, OH 43963). Friends will then be received the next day (August 1st) at the Dillonvale Presbyterian Church with the service beginning 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Sarah Webb officiating. The committal service will be conducted at Holly Memorial Gardens, Mausoleum, Pleasant Grove, OH. A meal will then follow at the Dillonvale Presbyterian Church.  Friends, family, and church members are invited to attend.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Dillonvale Presbyterian Church, 52 Liberty Street, PO Box 697, Dillonvale, OH 43917.