Martha Mae (Austin) Montgomery
January 21, 1934 - August 18, 2019
Martha Mae (Austin) Montgomery, 85, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 18, 2019. Martha will be remembered as the matriarch of her family, for her love of Christ and commitment to the church, for her unforgettable laugh, and for bringing happiness and friendship to so many lives. Her greatest joys in life came from her five children whom she adored, her nine grandchildren for whom she never missed a school event, baseball or soccer game, and her four beautiful great-granddaughters who brought her joy later in life. Martha was an integral part of Oro Grande Church and Redeemer Church (previously Apple Valley Baptist Church) for decades where she served as a Sunday School teacher and a deaconess. Martha maintained lifelong friendships playing cards with the same women for more than sixty years. She enjoyed lasting friendships through Christian Women's, Bunco, Assistance League and the Old Timers group. She recently met up with her high school girlfriends from Illinois and picked up where they left off as if no time had passed. Martha was born on January 21, 1934 to Walter and Lillian (Duffield) Austin of Milo Township, Illinois. She was the youngest of nine children. Martha attended and graduated as salutatorian of Wyanet High School in Illinois. After coming to California with a friend in 1953, Martha fell in love and married James Robert (Bob) Montgomery on April 15,1954. Early in their relationship, Bob brought Martha to the beach for the first time. She felt the sand between her toes and immediately began her lifelong love of the ocean – something she shared with her entire family during their annual trip to Newport Beach. Once her children were raised, Martha thrived in her professional career at ConTel and Verizon, where she was one of the first female engineers and took on management roles throughout her career. Martha and Bob were married for 53 years. After losing her soulmate and best friend in 2007, she continued to be a pillar of strength for her family and embraced every day to its fullest. Martha is survived by her children Robert, Cathy, Dennis, Nancy, and Linda; her grandchildren Ryan, Kyle, Nicholas, Ethan, Jennifer, Zachary, Austin, Scott, and Emily; her great grandchildren Ava, Berlyn, Zoe, and Brooklynn; and her brother Jim Austin. She is further survived by her extended family and many close friends. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019, at Redeemer Church in Apple Valley. Pastor Chris Gillespie will officiate. Reception to follow.
Published in the Daily Press on Aug. 25, 2019
