Ella Jean Maltby, a resident of Willow Springs and formerly of Sarasota, FL passed away Monday morning, March 8, 2021 while at her daughter’s home in Willow Springs. Ella was born August 10, 1945 to William and Rosemary (Gardner) Lewis in Buffalo, NY and was 75 years old.
Ella’s family moved to Sarasota in 1950 where Ella attended the schools and graduated from Sarasota High School. She married Ronald Gary Maltby in 1971 in Sarasota and together they raised four children, which included one set of triplets. Ella enjoyed cooking, watching baseball, and going to the casinos. She had a cat named Daisy, whom she adored; however, she dearly loved her children and grandchildren. It has been said that she was a beautiful person and her life revolved around her family. She will be dearly missed by her family, her friends, and all who knew her.
Ella was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ronald; a sister, Nancy French, an infant sister, Alice Marie; two brothers, Clinton Lewis and James Lewis; her son, Michael Maltby; and her first husband, Richard Cleveland, who was fatally wounded in Vietnam.
She is survived by her children: Kelly L. Metz and her husband, Eric of Willow Springs; Michelle Fotos and her husband, John also of Willow Springs; and Mary Santos of Midway, AR. She is further survived by two sisters: Rosemary Canaday and Kathleen Hankins; five grandchildren: Brandon, Joseph, Brianna, Roza, and Branson; one great-grandchild, Blair; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers those wishing to make donations in Ella’s memory to please donate to Hospice Compassus – South Central Missouri and they may be left at the funeral home.
A memorial service for Ella will be held later in Sarasota, FL. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
