Ethel McAlear Montgomery

Ethel Genevieve McAlear Montgomery, 88, passed away peacefully at her home the evening of December 22, 2011, after a short battle with cancer. Ethel led a full and productive life and her legacy of faith and love of family lives on in her descendants. Ethel was the daughter of J.F. and Olive McAlear born in Polson Montana on August 17, 1923. Ethel battled cancer once before as a brave 17 year old. Ethel graduated from Polson High School in 1941 as Valedictorian, then attended nursing school at MSU and Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman where she went on to become a Navy Cadet Nurse. She traveled a troop train in 1944 to visit her fianc� Monty Montgomery also of Polson, MT. They married in Beeville, Texas on August 29, 1944. Upon her return to Bozeman, she completed her nursing training and began a long career as a nurse. She began her career at the Hotel Dieu (St. Josephs) Hospital in Polson. Ethel interrupted her career to care for her four daughters and returned to nursing at St. Josephs' Hospital in Denver. After the family moved to Spokane WA she became Assistant Administrator at St. Luke's Hospital and was named to the Washington State Board of Nursing. In 1966, the family returned to Missoula where Monty ran Bearing and Rim Supply on N. Broadway. Ethel first was Head Nurse in OR and then in OB at St. Patrick's Hospital. She returned to MSU in 1969 to finish her Bachelor's Degree with emphasis in Public Health. Following her graduation from MSU, she was hired by the Missoula County Public Health Department. During her years there, she became the County DPH Supervisor, was named to the Montana State Board of Nursing, and elected Nurse of the Year on October 7, 1982, for her work with the newly arrived Hmong Refugees whose health problems created great challenges for her and her staff. During her tenure there, she and the Health Officer noted a strong correlation between Missoula's poor air quality and hospital admissions for lung diseases: based on that data they created the first air quality warning system which was adopted into state statute and is now nationwide. Ethel and Monty shared 75 years together. First, as childhood friends: then, as husband and wife for 62 years. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling in Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Washington, and Alaska. She was a member of Eastern Star, Sigma Tau, Montana Nurses Association, Business and Professional Women's Association, Grace United Methodist Church, Polson Community Church and an Honorary Board Member of the Polson-Flathead Historical Museum. Mrs. Montgomery had a keen memory of early Flathead Valley history, and stories of pioneers and homesteaders. As the first curator at the museum, she catalogued and organized all of the collection and deeds, obtained grants for preservation of all photographs, and delicate and precious historical items. She was twice the Grand Marshal of Polson's July 4th parade. The second time was for the 2010 Centennial when, despite declining health, she joyously waved an American flag and participated in an 'Old-Time' ice cream social, sharing memories with many of her friends and community founders. She was co-author of the historical book about her mother, Goldenrod Girl' 2010, donated to the PFH Museum. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Melton (Monty) D. Montgomery in 2007, her parents, infant grandsons Allan and Brian Ebel, and her sister, Ina McAlear Davis. She is survived by her four daughters: Karen & Keith Dunwell of England: Connie & Muirray Potter of NM: Pamela & Fred Ebel of Montana: and Theresa Jones of Germany. She leaves four grandsons: Jess and Chuck Ebel of Montana: Mike Ebel (Heidi) of Oregon: David & Julie Jones of OK, and adopted grandson Bradley Mitchell of Oregon, as well as four great-grandsons, seven nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Ethel was a brilliant, caring person: a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and cousin. She made lifelong friends and maintained contact with them regardless of where she lived. Her home was always cheerful, warm and welcoming. Her family misses her deeply, but gives thanks to God that she met Him without pain or suffering. We wish to thank Community Medical Center's Coronary Care and Stepdown Unit staff and hospitalists, Missoula Hospice, and Pastor Barber of the Polson Community Church for their loving care in her last days. Her family also thanks her many caring physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses. The family is immensely grateful that her daughter and nurse, Pamela, gave her parents years of personal and professional care. Ethel requested that memorials be given to the Polson Flathead Historical Museum in Polson, MT in lieu of flowers. A memorial will be held in Polson, MT at the Polson Community Church next summer when family members can be present. The date and time to be announced. Messages of condolences may be sent to the family on line at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to assist the Montgomery family at this time.
Read Ethel Montgomery's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.