Cloudy, 40° F
(July 22, 2008)
Mary Delores “Dee” Montoya, 72, of Powell died Tuesday, July 22 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, with her husband and children by her side. She had two heart bypass surgeries, and dealt with complications from diabetes, in the last thirteen years.
She was born May 9, 1936, in Powell, the daughter of Nicholas Garcia, Sr., and Carmel Gallegos. She spent her early childhood in the Big Horn Basin. On May 28, 1954, she married Dale C. Montoya, who was enlisted in the United States Air Force, and they spent twenty years traveling the world together before retiring to Powell.
She was a sister, wife, mother and grandmother, and a member of the Catholic Church. According to her family, she ]enjoyed her yard and flower gardens, especially her rose bushes.
She is survived by her husband, Dale C. Montoya; daughters Kathy McCoole (Lee) of Cheyenne and Lori Lotten (Aaron) of Powell; a son, Jim Montoya (Sarah) of Powell; a brother, Nicholas Garcia, Jr., of Farmington, N.M.; sisters Frances Nevarez (Domingo) of Yakima, Wash., and Margaret Gonzales (Raymond) of Colorado; along with 9 grandchildren,10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sisters Josie Malliot, Angelina Bayne and Emely Munoz, and brothers Pete Garcia, Max Garcia, Benny Garcia and Patrick Garcia.
Vigil services will be held Friday, July 25, at 7 p.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Powell. Funeral services will be at St. Barbara’s at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26, with internment immediately following at Crown Hill Cemetery.
