It is with love and sadness we announce the passing of Therese Mary Montag. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She died peacefully in her home on February 27, 2021 with her husband, Chuck Montag, by her side.
Therese was born on June 16, 1928 at Centinela Hospital in Englewood, California to Charles and Mary Fraley. She had an older brother, Charles, who was killed in World War II, and an older sister, Alice. She grew up in Van Nuys, California attending St. Elizabeth School for grade school, followed by Van Nuys Junior High and Van Nuys High School. She actually met her husband, Chuck, in grade school but it became official when she asked him to a dance sponsored by the Catholic Daughters in 1945. From that moment on they were inseparable and married on May 20, 1950. They were blissfully married for over 70 years. They were united in their love for each other, their family, and God.
Therese is the mother of five boys: Dennis, Larry, Bob, Ray, and Joseph who passed away a few days after his birth. We take comfort in her heavenly reunion with her son. The family moved from San Fernando Valley to Ventura in 1968 and has lived in both Ventura and Ojai from that time on. The four boys married giving Therese four daughters-in-law. She has eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Therese was the matron of the family and always worked hard to create a loving home for her family. She loved decorating her house, going above and beyond for every holiday. She hung inspirational quotes around the house, most of them handmade. She loved to bake and could beautifully arrange flowers.
Therese loved traveling, particularly camping, which the family did often. She was very efficient in preparing food for trips varying from a few days to a few weeks. During these trips she enjoyed some of her favorite hobbies including, waterskiing, fishing, and playing golf. In addition to these hobbies, when she was at home she loved sewing, knitting, and creating anything crafty. Her grandchildren have fond memories of her handmade puppets and play costumes.
Therese had a long history of volunteerism. She had always been actively involved in the churches that the family attended. She volunteered with the confirmation team at St. Bernadine’s Church in Canoga Park. She volunteered for many years helping at St. Bonaventura High School’s fiestas. She taught catechism at St. Sebastian Church in Santa Paula and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai. She also has done a lot of service work for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai. She served as a Eucharistic Minister to the sick, a lector, she led prayers and visitations to the elderly, and she was the secretary for the director of religious education. In addition to volunteering at the parishes that they attended she also did volunteer work at St. Joseph’s Convalescent Hospital in Ojai and at the Ojai Valley Community Hospital.
Therese lived a very full life devoted to the love of her life, Chuck, her entire family, and to her faith. She will be greatly missed and her legacy of love, servitude, faith, and generosity will live on in all who knew her. We find peace in knowing that she is in heavenly paradise with the Lord and her loved ones that preceded her in death.
Services for Therese Montag will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai. There will be a Rosary for Therese at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Smile Train, Life Choices Pregnancy Clinic of Ojai Valley, or to St. Thomas Catholic Church: Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
We love you beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. Rest in peace; rest in paradise. You will live forever in our memories and hearts.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.