Jean B. Montoya

Jean Montoya passed away peacefully on April 27, 2024. She was 86.

Jean was born February 8, 1938, in Missouri Center, CO to Susano and Mary Silva. She was the eldest of fifteen children. The Silva family would eventually settle in Ignacio, CO and Jean was always proud to say she was from Ignacio. She graduated in 1956 and a few days later she married the love of her life, George Montoya. Together the newlyweds would start their family and lives in Durango. While raising six children, Jean attended nursing school. She worked at Eventide Nursing Home and Mercy Hospital for several years. After working in various local restaurants, George and Jean would own and operate Yuma’s restaurant and a concession stand. Anyone who tried her food was always satisfied, because she used the best ingredient, love.

Jean was an Elks Club Emblem Club member, and her dinners were always a hit. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and served on various parish committees. She could also be found at the weekly bingo. Casinos, bingo, card or board games, and crossword puzzles were some of her favorite things to do. Whether it be cooking for family, art and crafts for bazaars, or working in her flower beds and garden; she loved to be busy. She loved sports, especially her Denver Broncos. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren play live sports.

Her family was her biggest joy in life. Six children blessed her with fifteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Marlene Anderson (Mike), Roberta Montoya-Atencio, Garry Montoya, Karen Gomez (Bob), and Sherri Gurule (Gene), Brothers Joe, Gerardo, Arthur, and Tom, Sisters Phyllis, Barbara, Veronica, Diane, Cathy, and Marilyn, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Susano and Mary, her husband of 42 years, George, daughter, Georgianne, brothers, Don and Ramous, Sisters, Aurora and Margaret.

Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hospice of Mercy and Junction Creek Rehabilitation.