Ruth T. Montana, age 96 of Farmington Hills, passed away July 10, 2022.

Ruth was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on March 28, 1926, to Henry and Mary Mohr, and grew up surrounded by a large loving family. At the age of 15, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan for her father’s work. One fateful night in 1948, she met the love of her life, Frank Montana, while attending a party, later admitting “he had nice legs”. Frank proposed to Ruth a year later, on her 23rd birthday, making sure to still present her with a bracelet as a birthday gift. The lovely couple wed on September 10, 1949, at St. William Parish in Walled Lake, Michigan. After starting their family in Detroit, they moved to Farmington Hills in 1969 where they raised their seven children. Before raising her family, Ruth briefly worked for General Motors and after her kids were grown, was as a switchboard operator at Crowley’s for several years.

Ruth was a longtime parishioner of St. Fabian Catholic Church where she was a member of the Women’s Club and involved in many of the church’s functions. She also enjoyed hosting and joining card clubs with her many neighborhood friends. In retirement she loved traveling, especially to Ireland, Florida, and California. She will forever be remembered for her kind heart and feisty Irish spirit.

Ruth was the loving mother of Jack, Mike (Anda), Mark (Sandy), Dave (Jodie), and Joe Montana, and Janet (Ron) Waters. Proud grandmother of Char Brennen, Bryan, Brad, Dan, and Tommy Montana, Paige Peleman, Brooke, Connor, Claire, Jack, Tate, and Ethan Montana, and Ava Waters and great-grandmother of 6 great-grandchildren with one on the way. Dearest sister of Grace (the late John) DeVos and Jean (the late John) Kenny. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years, Frank; her son, Jim Montana with his wife, Teresa still surviving; her parents, Henry and Mary Mohr; and her brothers, Harry, Bill, and Jack Mohr.

Visitation for Ruth will be held on Wednesday, July 13th, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. She will lie in state on Thursday, July 14th, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of her Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. She will be laid to rest in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ruth’s name are appreciated to the Be The Match Foundation or American Diabetes Foundation, both of which were close to her heart.