EILEEN MONTGOMERY
July 20, 1955 - September 21, 2021
[She]”... was my North, my South, my East and West.
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong...”
W.H. Auden, “Funeral Blues”
On July 20 of this year, Eileen Montgomery would have been 67 years old; For more than 32 years, I loved and admired her. She was my colleague, my friend, my wife, my inspiration, my confidant and the love of my life. But during the almost 3 years, that she battled leukemia, she became my Hero!
I have never known anyone who fought so hard, in the face of overwhelming odds, while always maintaining a positive and hopeful outlook. Her resiliency and ability to rebound, after repeated setbacks, was to be admired! Unfortunately, in spite of all her efforts, her body ran out of physical strength, and leukemia claimed another grim victory. Eileen died on September 21, 2021.
Because of COVID, she had requested that her loved ones not commemorate her death with any large gatherings, and to protect those wishes there have been no public announcement of her passing until now.
As was always the generosity of her nature, Eileen donated her body to medial research; her ashes will be returned after one year, and In addition, a scholarship fund has been established in her name, for an art student, at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where she taught for 29 years. If you would like to support Eileen’s memory and her commitment to the arts, please feel free to make a donation to her scholarship by contacting HSPVA Friends.
The condolences and outpouring of love, from family, friends and loved ones, and from former colleagues and students at HSPVA (thank you Gina and David for gathering the online message) has been immensely comforting and has confirmed to what high esteem she was held by all!
Your kindness and well wishes have warmed my heart and have helped ease the burden of this difficult time. Thank you! She was loved by so many!
She is forever in my heart! David Sheard