Rey Florence Schuman

Rey was born on May 13, 1932 in San Fernando La Union, Philippines to José and Manuela Valencia. Her family survived WWII and had unending gratitude for the U.S. Military for their acts of bravery during those difficult years and for rescuing them from the Philippine jungles.

Rey came to the U.S. to attend Southwestern College in Winfield, KS where she received a Bachelor of Social Science degree and later a Master's degree in Christian Education from Scarritt College in Nashville, TN.

During her college days, she met Norvin Schuman, a pre-med student at Baker University in Baldwin City, KS, and after a short courtship were married in September of 1954. They had three children while Norvin completed his medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical School and lived in Kansas City, San Francisco and Oklahoma during those years.

From 1960–1965, the family served as missionaries in Sarawak, Malaysia on the island of Borneo where Norvin worked in a remote hospital. Rey was Mom and homeschool teacher to their three young children as well as a choir director at their local church.

Upon their return to the U.S., the family resided in Roeland Park, KS and Rey worked for a short time as a social worker for Wyandotte County. She dedicated many years to serving as the Director of the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries for the Methodist Church. She was a delegate to numerous conferences, both nationally and internationally, and taught for the School of Christian Missions for over 25 years. In addition to her work with the Methodist Church, Rey was involved with the Kansas City Filipino Association, Mini Mundo, and taught English as a Second Language for many years. Rey and Norvin retired to Rio Rancho, NM in 1989 where they resided for 30+ years in their home that overlooked the Sandia Mountains. Rey sang in the church choir as well as a community Mosaic choir in Albuquerque. They hosted friends and family for the annual Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque and loved learning about and touring the state of New Mexico, as well as taking road trips to visit family and friends.

Rey's love of music began early in her life with piano, violin and voice lessons. She was gifted with a beautiful and powerful soprano voice and sang and directed choirs over the years as well as being asked to sing solos at church, weddings and other events. She had the gift of listening to a song once and duplicating it on her piano!!

Rey will not only be remembered as a loving Mom, Grandmom, and Gigi (Great-Grandmother) but also as a fabulous cook!! Her delicious Filipino dishes included eggrolls she made for special family meals, birthdays, and graduations. We will try to keep that legacy ongoing!!!

Rey relocated to Aberdeen Village in Olathe, KS in October, 2022 after her husband passed away earlier that year. It was her joy to be able to share her love of music by playing her piano for residents at Aberdeen Village during meals in the independent living dining room, for assisted living residents, and monthly birthday acknowledgements.

Rey was preceded in death by her husband, Norvin, of 67 years; her brother, Jose, Jr.;and infant son, David Lee. She is survived by her children, Debbie Hover (Fort Collins, CO), Beckie Kim (late husband Larry) (Aberdeen Village), Steve Schuman (Konnie) (Lenexa, KS); five grandchildren (Ryan, Michelle, Joel, Eric, Kelsie); and five great-grandchildren (Jolie, Kylie, Stone, Mason, Desmond).

Rey's family would like to thank Ascend Hospice for their unwavering care during Rey's final days. Many heartfelt thanks to the staff at Aberdeen Village and the many special friendships she formed during her time at Aberdeen Village. Her final resting place will be at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens (Shawnee, KS). Rey's wish for donations would be to support the Aberdeen Village Good Samaritan Fund.