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BORN

1940

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary

225 S. Broadway

Escondido, California

Brenda Montiel Obituary

Montiel, Brenda FALLBROOK -- Brenda Montiel, 73, passed away on July 11, 2013. She was born on March 31, 1940 in Escondido. She is survived by her husband, Roland Jackson; and siblings, Carol Kettela, Jerry Montiel and Mary Montiel. At the age of nine, Brenda heard Arthur Rubenstein in concert which changed the course of her life. She began piano lessons and soon became an accomplished pianist performing in many concerts throughout her life. After high school, Brenda joined the convent, the Sisters of the Precious Blood, who staffed the school at San Luis Rey. She spent 16 years dedicated to the educational mission of this community with 10 of them at San Luis Rey. She taught music and literature and developed a community theater where she directed major musicals such as Oliver, My Fair Lady and Sound of Music. Brenda received her Bachelor of Science at the University of Dayton and her Masters and Doctorate degree from Claremont Graduate School. In 1974, she left the convent after 16 wonderful years and accepted a position with Palomar College. She remained a music and humanities teacher until her retirement. Her responsibilities included department chair, faculty president and she was a member of the Faculty Senate committee. She met her husband while studying at Claremont Graduate School. They traveled the next 10 years throughout Europe during vacations and sabbaticals, working on musicological projects. In the mid 1980's, she co-founded Adventures in Learning, an art and music tour company where small groups were presented with unique experiences around the world not often reserved for tour groups. The La Jolla Symphony Chorus was one of these groups provided with many unusual concert venues. The most unusual was to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan where they were the first western choral group of musicians to be invited to this kingdom. Upon moving to Fallbrook in 1993, Brenda and her husband became Fallbrook Music Society board members where Brenda's contributions to the artistic development of this community are well known. She served as Fallbrook Music Society's President of the Board and as the organization's Artistic Director for many years. She was responsible for the organization of the annual concert series including Concert on the Green. These are some of the things that Brenda did in her life, but she cannot be defined by them. Rather, she is known for her honest and sincere dedication and her passion for helping others. Brenda's spiritual beliefs became the foundation of her life. During these last months, it sustained her in the day to day moments of acceptance and love. An evening Vigil will be at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, Escondido on Wednesday, July 24th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, July 25, 10 a.m., at St. Mary's Church, Escondido. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fallbrook Music Society. Arrangements are by Alhiser-Comer Mortuary.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune from Jul. 21 to Jul. 27, 2013.
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To Brenda's family,
My heart goes out to you for your loss. I attended SLRA from 1970-1974. I never had her as a teacher, but the plays she directed are in my wonderful memories of SLRA, they were always magnificent. May you find her in wonderful memories while God heals the hole in your hearts.

Rita (Hamilton) Griffin

August 6, 2013

My Condolences to all that grieve this beautiful angel as she ascends in to the hands of our LORD. I only went to the Academy for 2 years but I do remember "Oliver" well, & guitars & song & bonfires on the beach and bringing her pink roses for she was my favorite confidant. I am so sorry I just recieved this msg today by some divine intervention. I didn't know she was still around all this time. I will always miss her.She introduced me to the arts and piano and even though She would catch me playing Jerry Lee Lewis music instead of Chopin she would still laugh with me too. Monica Sernae-Rushing

Monica Sernae-Rushing

July 25, 2013

Sister Brenda will surely be missed but her influence lives on generations to come, through the many lives she impacted with music and theatre at San Luis Rey Academy.
RIP Brenda, We hear you singing with the angels!

Monica (Trejo ) Perez, Class of 73'

July 24, 2013

I am so sorry for this great loss to her beloved family....and her community....so few in the world like her...what a blessing...I will have mass offered here for her and her family tomorrow...I was a school mate of Brenda's....and also went to San Luis Rey Mission school....may God fill your grieving hearts with His love....knowing that your wife and mother is singing with endless joy and praises with all of heaven.....

Juanita Mehl-Childers-Young

July 23, 2013

We remember Brenda as a happy smiling and loving Big Sister (in law) she loved her family with great enthusiasm. Running from kitchen to piano smiling and laughing whether cooking singing or playing, Brenda is one of the kindest loving people God allowed me to know in my life. We will miss her and are know she is in a better place with no pain or sorrow. I'm sure she is directing choirs of angels praising her Lord & God.

Love, Garry, Sean & Zac Davis

July 23, 2013

My years at San Luis Rey Academy were filled with ALL of the arts after Brenda introduced the Creative Arts Program (CAP) into the curriculum. I will always be grateful to her for opening my eyes to a world larger than I had known, and I thank her for fostering that love of all arts in me. My condolences to the family.

Irene Zelonka - Hutton

July 23, 2013

I remember Brenda Montiel as Sister Brenda when I attended SLRA in the years 1968-1972. She was our Vice Principal and Music/Drama instructor.She was also a classmate of my Aunt Susan when they attended the academy themselves.
Brenda was a kind talented woman. She put on the most wonderful musicals at our school.Even though I never had her as a teacher...we as students respected and loved her. I believe she also wrote the music and words for our school anthem. Academy, in grateful song, we turn to thee.........
Thank you Brenda...for all the wonderful years of music!!!

Theresa Cardillo(Wanket)

July 23, 2013

I remember her at Academy of the Little Flower she was an amazing music teacher.
I am sorry for her families loss

Denise Foster

July 23, 2013

I was saddened to learn of Brenda Montiel's passing.She was a great inspiration to myself and countless other students who were fortunate to have her as a teacher during our days at San Luis Rey Academy. On behalf of myself, my sisters Juanita (Oquendo) Rizzo and Virginia (Oquendo) Alkazian, our sincere condolences to the family; may God Bless all of you during this time.

AnnRenee (Oquendo) Campagna

July 22, 2013

Mary, Tim and I are so sorry for your loss but know you will always remember your sister at her best and the times you shared with her. She is at peace now, what more could we wish for?

Love, Linda & Tim Cash

July 22, 2013

Marygale Severance

July 21, 2013

We are very sorry to hear of Brenda's death. We have fond memories of traveling with her and her travel group Adventures in Learning. Edie Hatcher Salzer and Art Salzer.

Edith Hatcher-Salzer

July 21, 2013

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Memorial Events
for Brenda Montiel

Jul

24

Vigil

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary

225 S. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025

Jul

25

Memorial Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Mary's Church

Escondido, CA

Funeral services provided by:

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary

225 S. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025

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