Mrs. Hildegarde A. Thomas, 78, formerly of Broomall, PA passed away peacefully but unexpectedly in her home at Hershey Mills on Sunday afternoon, Dec 11, 2016. Hilde was the loving wife of the late Dr. James Edwin Thomas Jr. They were married for 47 years.  She is the beloved mother of Scott & Margarita Thomas of Broomall, PA, Debra & Robert Rakich of Redding, CT, Mark & Amy Thomas of Riverton, NJ, and Erika & Anand Srinivasan of Closter, NJ. She is known affectionately as "Oma" to her 10 randchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Leonhard Gerling of Keystone Heights, FL.  Born in Wurzburg, Germany in 1938, Hilde immigrated to Quakertown, PA in 1952. She graduated from Quakertown High School in 1957 and earned her degree as a Registered Nurse from Philadelphia College of Osteopathy in 1960. Hilde & Ed were married later that year and made Broomall, PA their home.  Hilde was an active member in the United Methodist Church for over 50 years and in 2014 became a parishioner at SS Phillip & James Catholic Church. She taught her family to enjoy the outdoors through lifelong activities such as skiing, camping, gardening, and birdwatching. She appreciated music, loved spending time in her kitchen, and was famous for her donuts. She enjoyed vacationing in Cape Hatteras, NC and at the age of 70 she continued traveling and discovered a love of kayaking.  Hilde will always be an inspiration to her friends & family through her creativity, deep faith, and energetic spirit.  A viewing will be held at the Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, Sproul & Lawrence Rds., Broomall, PA Friday Dec. 16, from 7-9pm. On Saturday Dec. 17 a calling at 9:30 am will be held at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church,  1325 Boot Rd. West Chester, PA with a Mass to follow at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Chester County Hospice, attn: Heidi Owen, 400 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19382.  Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, Broomall.