Maryida Montgomery Obituary

Maryida L. Montgomery, 87, of Marengo passed away peacefully May 7, 2023. She was born April 9, 1936 in Chicago to Walter and Rose (McCarthy) Fritsch. Maryida graduated from Harvard High School in 1954. She drove school buses for 35 years in the Marengo-Union area. She then returned to school and received her drafting degree. She designed many, many homes in McHenry County. Maryida was a woman who wore many hats. She was a boys' baseball coach for many years and still served as a scorekeeper until 2022. She worked as a butcher, a grocer, and a caterer. She had a number of paper routes and her sons recall jumping in and out of the tan Suburban delivering papers. She served as the Marengo City Clerk. Maryida also drove the McHenry County Historical Museum bus to numerous events until they retired the bus. She continued to chauffeur dear friends and family members to various appointments and events. Maryida was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 50 years. She had many roles there including commentator, Eucharistic Minister, collection counter, and an active member of the Rosarians. She was a two time breast cancer survivor and she crocheted hats for the cancer center and the nursery at OSF in Rockford. She enjoyed a little bit of everything. Traveling was a particular favorite, having traveled to several countries. She enjoyed golf and bowling, having just finished the 2022-2023 women's season at Glo-Bowl two weeks ago. She loved listening to country music and playing the piano and organ. She never missed her game shows, and did crosswords and word puzzles up to the day she passed. In her youth, she always had horses and loved to ride with her sisters. She was an avid Chicago sports fan but especially the Cubs, and used to attend Ladies' Day at Wrigley Field with her sisters. She was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and newly named great-grandmother to two beautiful babies. She thoroughly enjoyed her morning coffee at various Marengo restaurants several days a week with her many friends. Maryida will be greatly missed by all, especially her children, Brenda (Karl) Meintz, Steven (Sheri) Montgomery, Wendy Minakes, and Nathan (Tina) Montgomery; daughter-in-law, Dena Montgomery; grandchildren, Chloe Montgomery, Kathryn (Kamran) Schroeder/Emami, Kody, Kole, Kelsey (Elliott) Anderson and Kaela Montgomery, and Mackenzie and Nash Montgomery; great-grandchildren, Taylor Anderson and Kian Emami; and her sister, Rita Mae Ahler. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Rose Fritsch; Husband Robert Montgomery; Sisters, Patricia Wozniewski, Irenee Zuhlke; Brother James Fritsch; Son Wayne Montgomery and son-in-law David Minakes. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11th, from 4pm-8pm at Marengo-Union Funeral Home (505 E. Grant Hwy, Marengo). Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10am on Friday May 12th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, (323 N. Taylor St. Marengo). Interment to follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www. marengo-unionfuneralhome. com.