Of
PAIGE ARIANA ARMSTRONG-MALTOS
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
The day Paige was born; we knew that she was our "gift from God." She "hit the ground running," and never looked back.
Paige's love for Jesus came early as she would jump up and down on Mom's chest and yell, "I want to go to church . . . please Mom pleeeaaasse!" She had the Lord in her heart from the very beginning.
As a kindergartner at Malloch Elementary, Paige wanted to play soccer. "Of course," we said. The future was instantly cast in stone. Little did we know that Paige would try every sport to find her niche. She played every "team game" a girl could play.
In her fourth grade year, Paige began to play softball, basketball and volleyball. It was a tough call between the three because she had a swing that could "knock it out of the park," a mean serve in volleyball, and an indelible height advantage on the basketball court.
Looking back, we never had to ask Paige if she wanted to play any sport. She would fly through the front door, unzip her backpack as fast as she could, whip out the permission slip that yielded the current plethora of information and yell, "Look what I get to play!" Yet the comical thing was how she would make her sport into somewhat of a social event. The Paige we all know and love was emerging. . . .
Paige graduated Malloch Elementary with a smile on her face and began Tenaya Middle School. There, she was awarded the President's Silver Award for Community Service. She played basketball and volleyball with great enthusiasm.
During her 7th grade year at Tenaya, Paige's heartfelt desire was to attend Fresno Christian High School. Never a day went by without a plea to attend FCHS.
Paige began her 8th grade year at Fresno Christian with incredible joy. In the morning, she got out of the car smiling, and at the end of the day, she got into the car smiling. Paige played volleyball in 8th grade, then decided to focus on one sport. . .Basketball.
At the end of Paige's freshman year, she was moved up to Varsity for the Division 5 Playoffs as a center. A Center she stayed.
She was awarded the "Coaches Award" and "Defensive Player of the Year" for 2006-2007. In her sophomore year of 2007, she was awarded "All Tourney" in the Fresno Christian Tournament. In her junior year 2008-2009, she was presented with "First Team All League." After she played at the West Coast Jamboree, Paige received "All Tournament Team." Paige's senior year 2009-2010 awards included: "West Sequoia League Most Valuable Player", "West Coast Jamboree All Tourney Team Member" and "Most Valuable Player" in the Central Section Championship D5 winning game in Selland Arena.
Yet all of these awards did not matter to Paige as much as family did. Paige loved her family and included everyone in her family: Fresno Christian Basketball Family; her coaches, her Mama's on the team, and teachers. Paige's basketball teammates meant the world to her. She experienced pure joy in a "sisterhood" that few would ever know. And we are very proud to exclaim that Paige knew the difference between pure joy and happiness! She was JOY in every sense of the word.
Paige's dream was to play college basketball. She was so happy to become a member of the Concordia University Eagles women's team in Irvine. Once again, she was part of an extended family that she held close to her heart. It did not take Paige long to discover and embrace another "sisterhood."
Paige loved "Super Hero's." She could find and wear some of the most awesome Super Hero shirts. Yet above the strife, Paige triumphed as our SUPER HERO!
Paige had a beautiful presence about her. First of all, you would notice her size, a young woman at 6'5". Then you would notice how she would hold her head high with that beautiful smile. After spending some time with her, you couldn't help but laugh with her due to her unique and always humorous way of looking at life. Paige's sweet side always came out showing her love of children. She would have the little ones in her arms, talking, singing and being silly with them.
Paige knew and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all her heart and soul. She always called Him, "My Jesus."
She was the glue that held us all together. Paige loved her sister, Carly; and nephew Julian; her brother, Ian, with all of her heart and soul. . .and this girl had soul!
Paige is survived by her mother, Pamela Martens and stepfather Tom "Pop" Martens; father, Ricardo Maltos and stepmother Mercedes; sister, Carly Martinez; and nephew Julian; brother, Ian Armstrong-Maltos; grandmothers, Olga Maltos and Agnes Barnes. Paige was blessed with an incredibly large family she loved and adored.
A Celebration of Paige's life will be held at the Fresno Christian Gymnasium, on Saturday, January 15, 2011, at 10:30 a.m.
Two Memorial Funds have been set up in her name at Concordia University, Irvine, Ca and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fresno, Ca.
Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.
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