PITTSTON — Raymonde Marie Baiera, 89, of Pittston, passed away peacefully on Nov. 10, 2016, at Mercy Center in Dallas.

Raymonde was born on Jan. 30, 1927, in Blayville, France. She met her late husband, "Michele" (as she called him), on his army tour, near the beaches of Normandy, in Le Havre, France. They met not long after D-Day in 1944 and, shortly afterward, she moved to the United States to become his bride. Their love story continued for over 40 years, until Mike passed away in 1988.

While in France, Raymonde finished high school and worked as a beautician. In the United States, she became an accomplished seamstress while working as a sewing machine operator in Pittston for 30 years. She was also a member of the ILGWU and St. Rocco Church in Pittston. Raymonde gave of herself to help the needy by delivering meals on wheels, visiting the sick in nursing homes, cooking for the homeless, and through countless church projects.

Raymonde is preceded in death by her parents, Henriette and Louis Lecroq; and stepfather, Alan Ollivier; her brother, Marcelle; and her husband, Michael Baiera.

She is survived by her sister, Yvette, of Southern France; her son, Leonard M. Baiera, of Pittston, and his former wife, Renia Baiera, of Swoyersville; her daughter and son-in-law, Leona Mendelssohn and Dr. Saul Mendelssohn, of Dallas; and her five granddaughters, Nicole Moscatelli, Mindy Jenkins, Carly Eaton Mendelssohn, Bonnie Kenewell, and Emily DeShazor. Her nine great-grandchildren, who were truly her pride and joy, also survive Raymonde, Kara Moscatelli, Simon and Afina Jenkins, Paige, Liam and Talia Kenewell, Asher and Elliott Eaton Mendelssohn and Rhys DeShazor. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in the United States and in France.

The family would like to thank Raymonde's longtime friend, Loretta Anderson, for her devotion and loyalty. They would also like to thank Dr. John Carey for the compassionate care he gave Raymonde throughout the years. Lastly, thank you to the administration and staff of Mercy Center Personal Care and the skilled nursing unit for their love and kindness during the last months of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mercy Center, P.O. Box 370, Dallas, PA 18612.

Services are in the care of Graziano Funeral Home Inc., Pittston Township. Calling hours will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at the funeral home. Funeral services will begin at 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Those who plan on attending are asked to be at the funeral home no later than 8:45 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30 a.m. in Corpus Christi Parish, Luzerne Avenue, West Pittston. Interment services will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.

For further information or to express your condolences to Raymonde's family, please visit www.GrazianoFuneralHome.com.