Wanda Jean Montez (Richardson)

(Mother) Wanda Jean Montez was born July 25, 1939 in the small town of Verden Oklahoma, to the late Troy Maloney and Hester Icey Williams; they could not have been more proud of their eldest daughter.

Mother Montez attended school in Anadarko, Oklahoma, after graduation she moved to Amarillo, Texas. In September 1960 Mother Montez relocated to Denver. She attended Metro State College and obtained a degree in Mental Health. She was a Head Mental Health worker at Fort Logan Mental Health Center, where she worked for 30 years before she retired.

Mother Montez loved her family. She enjoyed cooking and would delight in hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for family and friends until health challenges made it difficult for her to continue. Mother Montez enjoyed word games, puzzles and sewing. She was also a great bowler and earned many awards to prove it. Traveling became a passion for her after retirement.

Mother Montez was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents: George and Minnie Lee Ford, Logan Simmons Sr. (step father), her son, Joel Irwin McCray, three sisters, three brothers, one niece and three nephews. Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Tifford Richardson, James Richardson, Jr. (Amy), Marie Knight (Kenneth), Lawrence Richardson, Edward McCray; Kada Cox and Lawrence Richardson, Jr. (grandchildren which she raised); nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; eight siblings: Ruthy Jackson, Joyce Garrett, Shirley Bradley, Robert Maloney (Rita), Troy Maloney (Marian), Coy Maloney (Melba), Roy Maloney (Phyllis), Dennis Maloney (LaVonne); a host of nieces and nephews which she loved dearly, along with other family members and many friends. Mother Montez will be deeply missed.