Marilyn J. Thomas, 83, of Upper Nazareth Township, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at LVH Muhlenberg. She was the beloved wife of Lester A. Thomas Jr. to whom she was married for 64 years.

Born September 22, 1936 in Bath, she was a daughter of the late Arthur Sr. and Ruth (Dech) Diehl.

Marilyn attended Valley View Baptist Church in Northampton. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, often babysitting for them. She also wrote beautiful letters to her family and friends, and enjoyed reading and watching TV.

In addition to her husband Lester, Marilyn is survived by one daughter, Debra Giacalone and her husband Paul of Bethlehem; three sons, Ray Thomas and his wife Mary Ann of Nazareth, Kirk Thomas and his wife Becky of Nazareth, and Daniel Thomas and his wife Heather of Pen Argyl; grandchildren, Amanda Palys and her husband Tim, Brandon Konawalik, Melissa Savy and her husband Conrad, Scott Thomas and his fiancée Della Wright, Kate DeTrani and her husband Bobby, Kevin McKelvey and his wife Katie, Lindsay Thomas, and Tyler Thomas; seven great grandchildren; and sisters, Ethel Allswede and her husband Keith of Midland MI, and Connie Galgon and her husband Tom of Allentown. She was predeceased by two brothers, Arthur Jr. and Daniel Diehl.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, March 13, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Schmidt Funeral Home, 407 Belvidere St., Nazareth. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Volker Stoeckmann presiding. Marilyn will be laid to rest in Hope Cemetery, Hecktown.