Mary (Vaughn) Montgomery - Class of 1942

MADISON - Mary Montgomery, age 85, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, after a 17-year battle against cancer. She was born Sept. 8, 1924, in Madison, to Adeline Hilgers Vaughn and John W. Vaughn. She attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and Central High School, graduating in 1942. Mary worked for the Bell Telephone Company as an operator, instructor and supervisor from 1942 to 1948. Mary married Baines T. Montgomery on April 9, 1948, in Louisville, Ky. They moved back to Madison in 1950. After their children were grown, she worked at Woolworth's part-time from 1976 until they closed the East Madison Shopping Center location. Mary was a lifetime member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary 8483, where she fried fish for Friday night fish fries and made omelets for Sunday breakfast for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary 481. Mary also volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital and baked chocolate chip cookies at Luke House. Her grandchildren were often recipients of her cookies, apple and pumpkin pies whenever requested. She enjoyed bowling for years with the Tuesday Morning Sunshine League and Friday Morning Senior League, as well as an avid bingo player. She is survived by her children, David (Lynn), Robert (Carolyn) of Madison, John (Mary Giemza) of Milton, and Frances (Scott) Petersen of Marshall; and six grandchildren, Geoffrey, James Montgomery, Matthew (Crystal) and Christopher Petersen, and Michael and Elizabeth Montgomery. She is also survived by her brother, John Paul (Donna) Vaughn; sisters-in-law, Maria (Gene) Bottoms and Louise Poe; special and dearly loved cousins, Kathleen Hilgers, Frank (Ruth) Haberland and Martin Haberland; many other nieces and nephews; and her dearest friend of a lifetime, Joan Severa. Mary was preceded in death by Baines, her loving husband of 61 years. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a 6 p.m. pass and review by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 8483 on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Ellen and Peter Johnson HospiceCare Center. The family wishes to thank Dr. Prendergast, the staff at St. Mary's Hospital, and the Ellen and Peter Johnson HospiceCare Center. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 22, 2009