Margaret Montante

Margaret “Peggy” W. Montante, spouse, mother, mother-in-law & grandmother, aunt, nurse, friend and faith-filled daughter of God, unexpectedly passed from this life into eternity on August 30, 2014 at her home in Moorpark, CA in the loving arms of her husband, John. Peggy Ward, married the love of her life, John Montante on August 23, 1958 at Saint Ferdinand Catholic Church in San Fernando, CA. On May 15, 1937, she was born to Bertrand M. Ward, Sr. and Elizabeth Devine in Orange, New Jersey. Peggy was preceded in death by her brother Bertrand M. Ward, Jr. and is survived by her sister Patricia Mikulas (Ken) of Cedar Rapids, IA. Always an honor student, Peggy attended St. Mary Catholic grade school in Dover, NJ before the family moved from New Jersey to the San Fernando Valley in 1950. She attended Bellarmine-Jefferson in her freshman year with the remaining three years at the Saint Ferdinand’s Girl’s High School at Mission San Fernando (the predecessor to Alemany High) graduating with honors in 1954. Miss Peggy Ward won a full, four year nursing scholarship to Mount Saint Mary College as a result of a competitive examination at St. Mary’s Academy. She graduated “Summa Cum Laud” in May of 1958 from the Mount which launched her very successful and multi-faceted 40 year nursing career. John and Peggy have five children: Barbara Younger of Mother of God Monastery, Watertown, SD; Elizabeth Andrews (Copeland) of Upland, CA; David Montante (Rosa) of Simi Valley, CA; Mary Woulf (Dave) of Simi Valley, CA; and James Montante (Kimberly) of Simi Valley, CA. John and Peg have been blessed with eleven beautiful grandchildren: Paul Lyell, Christopher Lyell, Robert Marcuse, Chelsea Mann-Younger, Leah Younger, Marissa Montante, David Montante Jr., Faith Montante, Logan Montante, and Isabella Montante in addition to great grandchildren Vanessa Lyell, Madilyn Younger,and Blake Lyell with babies Marcuse and Mann to be born in October and December respectively. Our mom’s hands were never idle as she enjoyed making all kinds of things by crocheting, knitting, sewing, crafting Christmas pine cone wreaths, and cake decorating. Mom and dad participated with us in scouts, sports and parish activities in most every way imaginable often as the leader, coach or committee chair. She passed her wit, intelligence, sense of commitment and creativity to the five of us which we in turn have passed on to our children. Our parents gave us an invaluable family gift as we camped and traveled by car to all corners of the United States. This travel featured the beauty of God’s creation which impressed a great love upon each one us for this country. Undoubtedly the most important thing our mom and dad passed on to us is a faith rooted in the steadfast love of God. The term “prayer warrior” is an appropriate description of our mom, as prayer was part of her daily life from the very beginning until the very end. Now that mom has attained the eternal goal for which we are all made, we thank God with grateful hearts for making her Dad’s wife, our mother and friend. A visitation will be held for Margaret on Thursday, September 5, 2014 from 6-7pm (Vigil beginning at 7pm) located at the Perez Family Funeral Home Chapel, 1347 Del Norte Road in Camarillo. (Located off the 101 Central Ave Exit) Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 9:30am located at Holy Cross Church, 13955 Peach Hill Road, in Moorpark. A Reception will follow in the Cosgrove Fellowship Hall also located at the church. Interment will be held at 1pm located at San Fernando Cemetery in Mission Hills. In lieu of flowers please send donations in memorium to Catholic Charities c/o Holy Cross Catholic Church 13955 Peach Hill Rd. Moorpark, CA 93021