Maritza Ream, 72, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital on Monday, January 20, 2020.
Maritza Cormoto Ream was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, on June 11, 1947, the daughter of Irma Santeliz and Marco-Tulio Pacheco. Her parents divorced early in her childhood, and later her mother, brother Tulio and grandmother Faustina moved to the capital of Venezuela, Caracas. In her last year of high school Maritza was awarded a foreign exchange student scholarship through the American Field Service and in August of 1965 came to spend the school year in Unionville, Missouri, with her host family, Donald and Mary Sell.
Maritza met Dale Henry “Hank” Ream, Jr., during their senior year of high school. She returned home in July of 1966 and attended the Universidad Centeral de Venezuela and Gregg Business Academy. Maritza and Hank carried on a four-year courtship by mail and a few phone calls. They were married on July 6, 1969 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milan, Missouri, while Hank was on a 21-day military leave. During the four years of Hank’s Military service they were stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona, and Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Maritza worked at the Hy-Vee food store in Unionville during Hank’s absence in Vietnam. They returned to Putnam County following Hank’s honorable discharge in January 1973, bought the Tinsley farm adjacent to his parents and farmed with Hank’s parents for 20 years.
In 1982, Maritza began her employment with Wells Mfg. Corp., in Centerville, Iowa as payroll clerk, retiring after 23 years of service. Hank and Maritza eventually sold their farm and moved to Unionville.
Maritza was much loved in her community for her kind and sweet spirit. She was an active member at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Unionville and a member of the Putnam County Library Board. She was an avid reader. Maritza loved spending time with her family, watching her children and grandchildren participate in all-types of events.
Maritza is survived by her husband and three children, Jeanette (Jackie) Simmons of St. Joseph, Missouri, Brad (Leslie) Ream of Livonia, Missouri, and Clint (Chelsey) Ream of Odessa, Missouri. Her grandchildren are Jackie Lee Simmons, Katlin (Aaron) Dewar, Kassidy Simmons, Glen Dunkin, Trenton Simmons, Trey Ream, Kelsie (Josh) Turner, Haiden (Spencer) Greenstreet, Owen Ream, and Kaden Ream. Her great grandchildren are Chloe, Presleigh, Portlynn, Paityn, Sly, Rayder, Ivy, and Emmett. She is also survived a brother Tulio (Lissy) Pacheco of Atlanta, Georgia, American sister Mary Alice (Brad) Gran of Nashville, Tennessee, American brother Larry Don (Lillian) Sell of Unionville, Missouri, half-brothers Marcos Pacheco and Jose Pacheco, half-sisters Matilde Pacheco, Gisela Pacheco, and Norma Pacheco all of Venezuela, sister-in-law Lee (Rick) Baughman of Lancaster, Missouri, brother-in-law Joe (Tammy) Ream of Unionville, Missouri. Maritza is also survived by many nephews, nieces and extended family.
Maritza was preceded in death by her mother and father, her in-laws–Dale and Virginia Ream, as well as her American/Putnam County parents, Donald and Mary Sell and Bill and Hazel Funnell. She was also preceded in death by her half-sister Audelina Pacheco, sister-in-law Kay Schultz and her husband, Jerry Bob.
Funeral Mass for Maritza Ream will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Unionville at 10:30 am on Monday, January 27, 2020, with burial at the St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a Rosary at 4:30 on Sunday, January 26, 2020.
Memorials are suggested to the Putnam County Library and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.