Obituary of Hazel L. Montgomery

Gerry, NY Hazel Montgomery, 102, formerly of Allegany, NY, died on January 29, 2024, at Heritage Village. She was born Hazel Lillian Janke on May 2, 1921, to parents Fredrick and Olive Webb Janke. While attending school during the great depression, Hazel helped raise her four younger siblings. She continued her education at Grace Hospital School of Nursing and worked there in pediatrics. With WWII raging, she volunteered for service in the Army Nurse Corp. After her basic military training, she was sent to Hawaii to wait passage to New Guinea. She spent her crossing caring for the staff and crew affected by a measles outbreak while battling her own constant seasickness. Once there, she worked in a tent hospital in the jungle. As the battles changed, she moved on to the Philippines where she served until the surrender. Hazel was honorably discharged in 1946 as a 1st Lt. with three Bronze Stars. Upon return, Hazel worked at the Menninger Clinic caring for veterans suffering from PTSD. She continued her education at the University of Kansas, then worked in a hospital in Washington DC. Shortly after, she married Richard Montgomery on Feb 17th, 1950. Her priority then became raising their three children in Altoona, PA, Detroit, MI, then Allegany, NY. Her life experiences led her to witness great challenges to humanity including poverty, inequality, war and conflict, health care access, and more. This instilled in her great empathy and compassion for human suffering, and she was passionate about teaching that to her children. Hazel was also an accomplished piano player, an avid reader, talented gardener and a lover of all nature and animals. One of her greatest enjoyments in later years was going on long rides to look for deer. She is survived by her three children, Ann (John) Gleim, David (Amy) Montgomery, Stephen (Pam) Montgomery, and several grand and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard in 1987. A private burial was held at Allegany Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society or The Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.