Anita Maria Aurelia Montgomery, née Francisconi, passed peacefully from this world on January 25, 2022, after blessing it with her presence for over 87 years.
She was born March 8, 1934 in a dance hall in Moss Beach, California, to Italian immigrant parents Peter and Lilia Francisconi. She was the youngest of three siblings, a brother named Bruno and a sister named Bruna. Those that knew her well called her 'Cookie,' because 'she was as sweet as a cookie.'
She attended Notre Dame High School in San Jose, and went on to attend Notre Dame College in Belmont. At one point, she considered becoming a nun, going so far as to spend time at a convent, but when a sister took her to a hill in Saratoga and asked her to look down at all the sin, Anita thought "look at all the fun." After this turning point, she went back to her neighborhood and married the love of her life, Joseph Worth Montgomery, Jr. on June 27, 1959. They went on to have four children - Paul, Anne, Ted, and John. Anita and Joe raised their family primarily in Saratoga, and have resided there for over fifty years. Anita also has seven grandchildren - Katie, Julia, Bella, Claire, Abby, Piper, and Paul.
In her time on earth, Anita was more than a wife, mother, and devout Catholic… she was also a musician, a songwriter, a voracious reader, and the best listener and giver of advice, and changed so many with her words of wisdom.
She had deep interest in and compassion for others, and would go out of her way to help anyone who needed it. Above all else, Anita loved her family, and her unconditional love will be felt by them forever. Despite living with Alzheimer's for the past 15 years, she died on her terms, and waited for all of her children and her husband Joe, to be in the room before taking her final breath.
We want to give special thanks to Seiloni M. Lolohea, who loved and cared for our mom during her hardest and final years. She gave our mom incomparable care and we can't thank her enough.
She leaves behind her husband, Joe, her children, Anne, Ted, and John, their partners, Chris and Gillian, and her seven grandchildren. She has joined her parents, her siblings, and her son, Paul.
[service information] In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in Anita's name.

'Cookie - You will never be forgotten, with all our sadness we know you're in God's place. And if we can, we will be with you again in a place to stay forever with you. You made a paradise for me and so many others right here on this earth. You made the seeds for me and so many others out of love. You are the love of my life. I will one day be able to love you again in God's place.' - Joseph Montgomery, loving husband.