Mary Delores Montoya

Mary Delores "Dee" Montoya, (72) of Powell, died on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, MT. She was surrounded by her husband and children. She finished her fight, having survived two major heart bypass surgeries and Diabetes in the past thirteen years. She was born May 9, 1936 in Powell, a daughter of Nicholas Garcia Sr. and Carmel Gallegos. She spent her early child hood in the Big Horn Basin. On May 28, 1954, Dee 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, WY.

She was a beloved sister, wife, mother, and grandmother and a member of the Catholic Church. She enjoyed her yard, flower gardens, and especially her rose bushes-for which many people nicknamed her "Rose" or the "Rose Lady." Her first love was her family and she loved animals and all birds. She doted on her two dogs and cat. She was an avid baseball fan, with the Colorado Rockies being her favorite team, loved politics and her favorite television program was CNN. Her children and husband loved her cooking deciding she was the best cook ever and she never let anyone go hungry, everyone was welcome.

She is survived by her husband Dale C. Montoya, daughters Kathy McCoole (Lee), of Cheyenne, WY; and Lori Lotten (Aaron), of Powell, WY; and one son Jim Montoya (Sarah) also of Powell, WY; a brother, Nicholas Garcia Jr. of Farmington, NM and sisters Frances Nevarez (Domingo) of Yakima, WA; Margaret Gonzales (Raymond) of CO; 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by sisters, Josie Malliot, Angelina Bayne, and Emely Munoz, brothers Pete Garcia, Max Garcia, Benny Garcia, and Patrick Garcia.