Lina Montgomery Stilwell

1935 - 2025

Lina Montgomery Stilwell

December 1, 1935 - July 9, 2025

Stilwell, Lina Montgomery, age 89, of Blacksburg, Virginia, formerly of North Muskegon, Michigan, passed away on July 9, 2025. She was born on December 1, 1935, in Marlette, Michigan, to the late Emerson and Bethel Montgomery. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Emerson Joseph Stilwell (Joe).

Lina graduated from Marlette High School in 1954. She earned a degree in home economics education from Michigan State University in 1958, where she received a four-year scholarship. She later completed a master's degree in home economics education from Michigan State in 1963.

Lina was a lifelong educator. She taught student teachers in the School of Home Economics at The Ohio State University, and taught home economics and child development to students in grades one through twelve in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts. Lina moved often in support of her husband's career, always continuing her own work in education.

Lina enjoyed knitting, sewing and baking throughout her life. Among many examples of her passion were the Halloween costumes she made for her grandchildren and the school uniforms she sewed for economically disadvantaged children during her retirement in North Muskegon, Michigan. Her grandchildren eagerly anticipated "Grandma Lina's" delicious Christmas cookies each year.

Lina and Joe moved to Blacksburg, Virginia in 2014 to be closer to family and grandchildren. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Amy Stilwell of Blacksburg, and by her grandchildren, Ellie, Nick, and David Stilwell of Asheville, North Carolina; Centreville, Virginia; and Blacksburg, respectively.

A memorial service will be held on August 2 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2308 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg, VA, with Pastor James Henricks officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Warm Hearth Foundation.