Cecile Janey (Hankins) Montgomery

Obituary Cecile Janey Montgomery passed away on August 8, 2016 at the age of 93. Janey was born in Mt. Airy, VA to Edward and Myrtle Hankins on February 13, 1923 and was one of ten children. Raised on a farm, her parents led by example and taught their large family the value of hard work, responsibility and caring for others. She was affectionately known to family and friends as Cile, Hank or Janey. As a young girl Janey attended school in a one room school house. When she graduated from Gretna High School she entered nurses training at Johnson Willis Hospital in Richmond, VA and became a Registered Nurse in November 1944. She joined the Army and served for 15 months in Germany and Hawaii. After that she worked as a civilian nurse but missed Army nursing. She rejoined the Army at the beginning of the Korean War and was stationed in both Japan and Korea. She bravely served in a Mash Unit during the Vietnam War and was then stationed at Madigan General Hospital in Tacoma, WA. She retired a highly decorated Lt. Colonel in August 1972 with over 23 years of service. In 1973 Janey entered the University of Puget Sound. She graduated in 1978 with a BA degree in Religion and remained active in the UPS Women's League for many years. She took her Mama's advice of "developing a hobby before you grow old" and began birding and traveled extensively around the world in search of birds. She enjoyed birding trips to Belize, Africa, Brazil, Australia, Yugoslavia and the Galapagos Islands, just to name a few. She was one of the early members of the Tacoma Audubon Society. In 1987 she married Guy Montgomery and happily joined his large family. They enjoyed time with family and friends, traveled the world, spent time in their beautiful home and garden, participated in community service, and were avidly interested in music and the arts. They were also very active in St. Leo's Parish. Guy and Janey moved to Franke Tobey Jones in 2008. Janey's caring and friendly nature made it easy for her to make many close friends. She joined a book club and was a Resident Ambassador. She also joined a Bible Study Group which allowed her to share her strong Christian faith with others. She was a voracious reader and was open minded, intelligent, generous and very engaged in life. Janey was deeply loved and will be missed by many. She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy, 4 brothers and 1 sister. She is survived by sister, Hilda (Chris), brothers Harold (Carol), Stanley (Peggy), and Ryland (Jane), 5 loving step children Marsha Vadala, Jeff Montgomery (Sharon), Connie Condon (Dave), Susan Bustard (John) and Greg Montgomery (Terri), 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces who were very special to her. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who cared for Janey at Franke Tobey Jones. Their care was exceptional. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Leo's Church, 710 S. 13th, Tacoma 98405, on September 9, 2016 at 12:10 PM. In Janey's honor donations may be made to the Employee Scholarship Fund at Franke Tobey Jones, Philanthropy Office, 5340 North Bristol, Tacoma WA, 98407 or online at www.franketobeyjones.com. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com.