Obituary of Miriam Garza

GARZA, Miriam Oliver, 72, of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., passed away Sunday, June 12, 2011. She was born February 5, 1939 in Brooklyn, NY to Rev Bartolo and Amparo Oliver. She moved to Fla., to live with her son, Edward in 2006 after living in Fremont, OH for 49 years. Miriam worked for the United States Postal Service from 1966 to 1992, at the Fremont Post Office from 1966 till 1980 when she was appointed as Postmaster at the Bettsville, Ohio office from 1980 to 1992 when she retired. The Ohio National League of Postmaster chose her the Postmaster of the year for 1990, where she also served as State Vice President. Miriam was a member of the Calvary Assembly of God Church until its closing. She taught Sunday School, worked with the Women’s Ministries, was a youth leader and counselor and helped in many activities in the church. Singing was her joy. She also attended and helped at the Zion UCC, Bettsville, Ohio and at the United Methodist Church in Old Fort, Ohio. She joined the First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., on January 27, 2008 where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She was a member of the Toastmaster of Fremont, Bettsville Firemen’s Auxiliary, Bettsville American Legion Auxiliary, Charter member of the former Bettsville Exchange Club, Fremont Exchange Club and Postal Retiree Breakfast Club. Miriam’s most proud accomplishment was helping put together the computer laboratory at a school in La Libertad, Comayagua, Honduras. In 2003 the computer laboratory was dedicated and named after her – “The Miriam Garza Comp Lab.” She was able to attend the graduation of teachers of the school. The graduation took place at the University in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 2006. Many in Fremont and surrounding areas helped to make this dream come true. She married her husband, Salomon “Rey” Garza on September 14, 1957 and he passed away on September 02, 1996. She is survived by her two sons, Edward Lee (Pamela) of Land O’ Lakes and David Timothy (Leigh) of Conyers, GA; three granddaughters, Taunya (Robert) Sebok, Tricia (Wesley) Faulkner and Lacey A. Garza; two great grandchildren, Destiny Jayne and Chance Clinton Faulkner; five brothers, Leo (Sue) Oliver of Findlay, Ohio, Bartolo Jr. (Sherrie) Oliver, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Abraham (Nilda) Oliver of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Richard T. (Piri) Oliver, Hollywood, Fla and Benjamin (Emma) Oliver of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico; three sisters, Louise (Sam) Quintero of Flushing, NY, Anna (Papo) Benitez of Bayamon, Puerto Rico and Margaret (Glenn) Kruse of Melrose, Massachusetts and many, many nephews, nieces and cousins from both sides of her family, whom she adored and also survive. A celebration of Miriam’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 18th at the First United Methodist Church in Land O’ Lakes. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.