Cleopatra Leona Montoya

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Cleopatra Leona Montoya

January 17, 1931 ~ October 8, 2019

Cleopatra Leona “Cleo” Montoya, daughter of the late Juan Jose Martinez and Eva Leyba Martinez, was born January 17, 1931 in Penasco, New Mexico. She grew up in Llano, New Mexico. At an early age she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and was a member of St. Peter and Paul Parish, where she served faithfully. She graduated from the school of beauty, getting her license as a hair stylist.

At the age of 16, she was joined in holy matrimony to Urbano Joseph Montoya in August of 1948. This union was blessed with four daughters. Urbano Joseph preceded her in death on January 14, 2003.

Cleo Montoya devoted her life to service for anyone in need. She fostered many children who were blessed with love and a warm home to shelter them from their situation. She worked with developmentally disabled children for many years as an aide. She owned and operated a hair salon out of her home for 10 years.

She loved going to Lava Hot Springs, taking care of her grandchildren and making rosaries. She took great pride in her family and displayed photos of them in every room of her house. She was a devoted dog lover and loved her “Ollie,” who preceded her in death.

As a result of her generous spirit and faithfulness, Cleo was loved by many. Her Catholic life was the foundation of her beliefs, her love for Jesus Christ was heartfelt and she served him with unwavering faith. She loved her family deeply and dedicated her life to giving her children and grandchildren a spiritual life, values and a legacy of generosity. She departed this life quietly after a long illness on October 8, 2019 in her home in the loving arms of her niece Barbara Wigren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Betty Cordova, sisters Livaina Romero, Alice Jaramillo and Sally Martinez.

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her daughters: JoAnn Anderson, Salt Lake City, Verlinda Montoya and Marilyn Dee Montoya, Novato, California; 12 grandchildren John Estrada, Teresa Hicks, Robert Estrada, Elena Estrada, Jerry Romero, Tara Romero, Andrea Samora, Carrie Montoya, Samuel Houston-Montoya, Mindy Martinez, Christopher Hathaway and Nicole Hathaway; 19 great-grandchildren; and devoted nephews and nieces, cousins and friends.

A funeral Mass was celebrated October 14, 2019 at St. Peter and Paul Church. Interment, Memorial Estates.