Mary "Chris" Montague

Nov 29, 1934 -

Jan 23, 2020

Mary "Chris" Clarissa Montague, age 85, passed away on Jan. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Chris was born on Nov. 29, 1934, in Gould Village, Quebec, Canada, to the late Daniel and Gladys McIver.

In May 1964, Chris and her family made the journey up the Alcan Highway to Alaska, where they became residents of Elmendorf Air Force Base. Later they moved to Anchorage and then Soldotna, Alaska, upon her retirement. Chris received her diploma in nursing from the Sherbrook Hospital in Canada and later went on to complete her bachelor's degree. From 1964 to 1991 she worked at the Alaska Native Medical Center as a Registered Nurse for the Indian Health Service. She was active in the community and participated in the Association of Operating Room Nurses. In her spare time, Chris could be found fishing at Anchor Point, the Russian River and the Kenai River. A lover of the outdoors, she enjoyed camping, skiing, berry picking, being a campground host, and visiting with tourists, friends and family. She also enjoyed canning and smoking salmon, reading and knitting. A genuine altruist, Chris's favorite quote was, "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you."

Chris is preceded in death by her husband, James Gordon Montague; and her sister, Ruth Johnson. She is survived by her four children, David Montague and his wife Marni of Flagstaff, Ariz., Donna Cahalane and her husband Ted of Anchorage, Jill Montague of Eagle River, Alaska, and Jeffrey Montague and his wife Melissa of Anchorage; grandchildren, Brandon Zarzoza, Whitney Montague, Amanda Zarzoza Foster, Erin Cahalane, Katie Cahalane and Amy Cahalane; and great-granddaughter, Amelya Brooks Foster.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 1 p.m., at Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage.