Maria Leto Pasetti's Obituary
The one thing everyone knew about Maria Pasetti was that she loved to dance. In full costume, with flowers and ribbons in her hair, she performed Greek, Spanish, Mexican, and Italian dances in various venues throughout Tampa Bay. She always enjoyed herself as much as her audiences. Every April, for the Festa Italiana in Ybor City, she led the opening flag parade and she created the popular grape-stomping event. Castanets clicking, she danced with the Curra Alba Flamenco Company for Ybor's annual Fiesta Day. An expert in international folk dances, she was often guest instructor at the University of Tampa's Dance and World Cultures class. Sharing her knowledge and passion for dance was what she loved best.
Maria was born in West Tampa on December 1, 1923. Her father, Rosario Leto, a naturalized citizen from Sicily; and her mother, Josephine Militello Leto, Sicilian-American, ran a dairy farm near Riverview called Palmetto Dairy. Through hard work and sacrifice,the dairy sustained them and their children, Maria, Felicia and Carlo,through the Great Depression.
After graduating from Jefferson High school in Tampa, Maria married Victor Pasetti, an Air Force captain recently returned from the war in Europe. She became a military wife raising two daughters: Francine Pasetti and Janine Pasetti Belveal. She had to adjust to moving often and created homes for her family in Florida, California, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Alaska, and Germany.
With her daughters grown, she began an independent life by moving to Athens, Greece in the mid 70's. One of her jobs while living there was as a hostess on a cruise ship. Each night, as the ship sailed through the Greek Islands, she inspired the passengers with her exuberance to join her in Greek line dances. While living in Athens, Maria also became involved, somewhat mysteriously, with the CIA as an undercover informant.
Maria returned to Tampa in 1979 and quickly immersed herself in volunteer work. Her outgoing personality and language skills served her well. Besides her native Sicilian, she spoke English and Spanish fluently as well as some Greek. She was active in many civic and cultural organizations, primarily L'Unione Italian (the Italian Club of Tampa), Hispanic Heritage, Inc., the Ybor Chamber of Commerce, Tampa's Sister Cities, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the Spanish Lyric Theater. She took great pride in promoting Tampa's unique multicultural heritage. For her efforts, she received numerous awards including the Italian Club Women of Excellence award, the annual Amiga award for Hispanic Heritage, and the Paolo P. Longo award bestowed for her "contribution and dedication to the Italian Club and our community."
After a full and vibrant life, Maria died peacefully at the age of 96 on December 16. For the past two years, she resided at Abigail House, a small assisted living facility in South Tampa where she was closely attended until her death by an exceptionally kind and caring staff. For several months, she had been a patient of LifePath Hospice whose services and medical oversight were greatly appreciated.
At the time of death, she was fortunate to have at her side her longtime devoted caregiver, Odalys Cuan.
Maria is predeceased by her parents; her sister, Felicia "Phyllis" Traina; her brother Carlo "Charlie" Leto; and her daughter, Janine Belveal.
She is survived by her daughter, Francine Pasetti and many loving nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends between 10:00 and 11:30 am on Friday, December 20 at the Boza and Roel Funeral Home, 4730 North Armenia Avenue, Tampa, FL. A funeral service will be held at the same location at 11:30 followed by entombment at L'Unione Italiana cemetery at 2520 East 24th Avenue, Tampa. Pallbearers will be Rick Bartolotti, Manuel Campo, Maria Elise Campo, Odalys Cuan, Greg Feinberg, and Emilio Toro.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Maria's memory to: the Italian Club Cemetery, 1731 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33605; or LifePath Hospice, Inc., 12470 Telecom Drive, Suite 300 West, Temple Terrace, FL, 33637.
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