Maria Mainescu Tama

Maria Mainescu Tama, age 90, of Cortland, passed away Friday morning, April 18, 2008. She was born January 21, 1918 in Romania the daughter of the late George and Sylvia (Rosculet) Mainescu. Maria is survived by her two sons, Mario Manuel (Elaine) Tama, Jr. and George Pedro (Jane) Tama; a daughter-in-law, Christina Tama-Sweet; seven grandchildren, Mario Tama III, Jason (Sarah) Tama, Ocean Tama, Isho Tama-Sweet, Shoshon (Stephanie) Tama-Sweet, Rashawn (Robin) Tama and Auricia Tama-Sweet and three great grandchildren, Charlotte and Norah Tama and Dakota Tama. She is also survived by her nephew, Georgi (Diana) Mainescu; a niece, Sylvia Mainescu and her grand niece, Marina. Maria grew up in Constanta and Galat, Romania and graduated from a Catholic girls' academy. She studied at the University of Zurich in Switzerland between 1937 and 1941. She was married on October 6, 1940, in Zurich, to Mario Tama. She and her husband emigrated to the U.S. in 1942. A resident of Cortland since 1963, Maria previously resided with her family in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. As a youth, Maria loved horseback riding and the beaches of the Black Sea. In the 1950's, she enjoyed vacationing at the Jersey shore, sailing in the Chesapeake and skiing in Vermont. Maria was a devoted mother and was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She doted on her cat, Ivanna. She also loved nature, especially the flowers and animals near her home. She was an independent thinker and free spirit and loved books and art. Maria was a very warm and caring person and will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mario and her brother, Georgi Mainescu. Her late husband, Mario Tama, was vice president for research at Ajax Magnathermic Corporation in Warren. Friends may call at Maria's home from 2 to 6 pm Wednesday, April 23, 2008. Burial will be in Bucks County, Pennsylvania at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Trumbull County Mobile Meals or to the A.S.P.C.A. Arrangements are being handled by Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel in Cortland. To view the obituary on line or send condolences go to www.shaferwinanschapel.com