ATHENA MONTOYA

ATHENA MONTOYA May 21, 1929 ~ October 9, 2026
Athena May Montoya (nee Fillon) of Medicine Hat went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the age of 97 years.
Athena was born May 21, 1929, in Watsonville, California, daughter to Angelo Zizi Fillon and Eva Fillon. Her family later welcomed her little brother, Peter Apollo Fillon. Athena was very proud of her Greek and Portuguese heritages and had a lifelong love of those foods and customs. Every Easter it was the battle of the decorated eggs (which egg with hardest shell would be the last unbroken) and a fun round of “Christos Anesti!” Proclaiming “Christ is Risen!”
Athena met and married the love of her life, Napoleon Edward Montoya, in 1949 while attending Hartnell College in Santa Cruz, California. While raising their family of four children, they travelled around the USA and eventually moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1967. They spent many years in Whitecourt where Napoleon managed Revelstoke Lumber and in Bassano after he retired because of early onset Parkinson’s disease. Mom became his caregiver for 20 years. This was very difficult for her but she persevered and honoured her wedding vows through great self-sacrifice. After her husband passed, Athena was once again able to focus on her family and decided it was time to become a Canadian citizen and did so in her mid-80’s. She liked being able to vote again.
Athena enjoyed meeting new people and had a lifelong love of gardening, giving “unexpected and unusual gifts”, and doing “health food research” using her children as test subjects for her latest “healthy concoctions” and “special recipes”. But most of all, she loved her family and she had tremendous energy and passion for her many and unique projects.
Athena had a great love for the Holy Bible and her Christian faith was shared with many people over many years. Like all of us, she had failures and successes, but more importantly she fought the good fight, she finished the race, we never doubted her love and she didn’t give up when it mattered the most.
Athena is survived by her children: Chris (Laura) Montoya, Nathene (Rick) Arthur, Sam (Anita) Montoya, and daughter-in-law, Bernice Montoya. She loved her nine grandchildren: Daniel, Crystal, Natalie, David, Jessie, Erin, Bonnie, Rebecca, and Clayton; and her ten great-grandchildren: Elijah, Andrew, Jewelle, Isabella, Ainsley, Emma, Gabriel, Elias, Nova and Clove, She loved their visits and receiving mail and photographs of how they were growing up.
Athena was predeceased by her husband, Napoleon; her son, Michael; her parents; her brother, Peter and numerous other relatives and special friends.
The family would like to especially thank the excellent care and love that Athena received at Big Hill Lodge (Cochrane 2008-2023) and Medicine Hat Care Community (2023-2026) in her later years and declining health. We remember all the many fun events, ice cream treats, and smiles you shared with her. We are blessed by your love and care and it will always be remembered. We will miss you Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, but our faith tells us we will meet again.
Athena requested a simple, private service at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel with interment at Prairie View Cemetery. It was held on Friday, October 16, 2026. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family requests you say a prayer for those in your own circle of family and friends and tell them often that you love them. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral
Chapel Crematorium &
Reception Facility
901 – 13th Street S.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4
Phone 403-527-6455
www.cooksouthland.com
“Locally owned & directed”