Mrs. Maria Angela Montero

Maria Angela Montero passed away on Saturday, November 12 at the age of 83. She had recently been found to be very ill. After a valiant fight against her disease, God spared her future agony. She was born in Pamplona, Spain on April 9. 1928 and came to live in Fresno on October 12, 1957 with her son Tony to be with her husband, Antonio Garcia Rizos. A year later,

a second son, Albert, was born. Sadly, her husband passed away during this same time.

In 1962. she married Pete Montero, a sheepherder and member of the Spanish community in the central valley, and together they had a son, Peter. They raised their sons first in Fresno and then in Wasco until 1977 when the family moved back to Fresno. Maria brought her mother. Juanita. to live with the familv in 1966 and took care of her until her death in 1982.

Maria and Pete spent 30 years together before his death in 1992. They worked hard raising their children and seeing them become successful. She especially loved her 5 grandchildren who were so special to her and called her LaLa. Following Pete's death. Maria became an active volunteer at St. Anthony of Padua Church. She took communion to members who could not leave their home, ministered to jail inmates through Matthew 25, provided transportation to parishioners, and attended

prayer groups, bible studies and devotionals. In the process, Maria developed a group of good friends and admirers who have been there for her through the last two months of her illness. She and her sons were touched and encouraged by the outpouring of support and love her St Anthony family showed when she needed it most. In addition. friends she had from the time she came to this country provided their love and support to the end. She left this life knowing that she was genuinely loved and with a strong and solid faith in God.

Maria is survived by her sister Maria Jesus Goni, Dominican nun of Puerto Rico, sons Tonv Rizos of Bakersfield. Albert Rizos of Chula Vista and his wife Michelle with children Anthony, Nathan, and Olivia, and Peter Montero of Ann Arbor, Michigan and

his wife Jane with children Kate and Jordan. In addition, she is survived by many relatives who still live in her beloved Spain.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, Fresno, California on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 4:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Chruch, Fresno, California on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made to Poverello House, P.O. Box 12225, Fresno, CA 93777 or Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno, 149 N. Fulton St., Fresno, CA 93701.