Joanne MONTGOMERY

1933 - 2020

July 9, 1933 - December 14, 2020 Joanne Montgomery, affectionately known as Jo Jo by family and friends, died of heart failure on December 14, 2020. She was born in West Frankfort, Illinois on July 9, 1933 and was the oldest child of Berenice and Bryan Clyde Doolen (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, 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 back to his hometown, Monrovia, California where they raised their two children. Joanne dearly loved her profession as an 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, 1993, Monrovia, Duarte Black Alumni Outstanding Educator Award, 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 for 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 serve on the Board of Trustees of Citrus Community College. This challenge was met where she continued her great love for education, serving for over twenty years. Joanne's greatest love was her family. She adored her grandchildren and great 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, Corran, and grandchildren, Katie Montgomery, Marie Mejia and husband Moises, Taylor Livingston and his wife Lisa, and great grandchildren Gracie and Oliver Van der Geugten and Mila Jo Mejia. Joanne is also survived by her brother Edward William (Bud) Doolen and his wife, Janice. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Lou Renner, 2011, and husband Donald, 1998, and will be buried beside him at Live Oak Cemetery in Monrovia, California. In keeping with COVID-19 restrictions, the family invites you to wave farewell as Jo Jo takes her final "ride" up Myrtle Avenue, north of Chestnut, for one last view of her beloved foothills on Sunday, December 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, California, 91741) or Monrovia Reads, P.O. Box 1033, Monrovia, California, 91017.