Joanne Montgomery

July 9, 1933 – Dec. 14, 2020

Joanne Montgomery, affectionately known as Jo Jo by family and friends, died of heart failure on Dec. 14, 2020. She was born in West Frankfort, Ill. on July 9, 1933 and was the oldest child of Bernice and Bryan Clyde Dooley (Bud). The family moved West and she spent her childhood in Tucson, Arizona, attended Tucson High and received her BA from the University of Arizona in 1955. She was chosen Who’s Who in American colleges and Universities and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, where she remained active with her alumnae association until her death.

Joanne married Donald Ames Montgomery in 1956. After his career as a pilot in the United States Air Force, they moved to his hometown, Monrovia, Calif. where they raised their two children.

Joanne dearly loved her profession as educator and spent 32 years as a classroom teacher. She received her Master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, 1982. She also received many awards throughout the years (Santa Anita Education/Industry Teacher of the Year award, 1978, Golden Apple Award, 1987, Monrovia Teacher of the Year, 1933, Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Outstanding Educator, 2019).

She was active in her community, serving on many boards like the Boys and Girls Club, Foothill Unity Center, Monrovia Coordinating Council and the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, where she received the Award for Community Service, 2003. She was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Board of Directors of the 48th District Agricultural Association where she served for sixteen years. She was a member of League of Women Voters, Monrovia Guild of Children’s Hospital, PEO, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church, since her arrival in Monrovia 1957. The 48th District Assembly honored her as one of the “Women of the Year,” 2015.

After her retirement from teaching, Joanne was elected to the Board of Trustees of Citrus Community College. This challenge was met where she continued her great love for education, serving for over 20 years.  

Joanne’s greatest love was her family. She adored her grandchildren. She loved art, history, bridge and travel. Her passion for travel took her all over the world.

She is survived by her children, Cynthia Livingston, Andrew Montgomery and his wife Cora, and grandchildren, Katie Montgomery, Marie Mejia and her husband Moises, Taylor Livingston and his wife, Lisa, and great grandchildren Gracie and Oliver Van der Gaugten and Mila Jo Mejia. Joanne is also survived by her brother, Edward William (Bud) Doolen and his wife Janice. 

She was predeceased by her system Mary Lou Renner, 2011, and husband Donald, 2988, and will be buried beside him at Live Oak Cemetery in Monrovia, California. In keeping with COVID-19 restrictions, the family asks you to wave farewell as she takes her final “ride” up Myrtle Avenue, orthodox of Chestnut, for one one last view of her beloved foothills on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial gifts for Joanne should be sent to the Citrus College Foundation, Montgomery Family Scholarship Fund (1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora, Calif., 91741) or Monrovia Reads, P. O. Box 133, Monrovia, Calif., 91017.

(Joanne scripted her own obituary to spare her children the burden.)

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