DR. ELEANOR D. MONTAGUE
1926-2018
Dr. Eleanor Dino Montague passed away on Friday, the 9th of November 2018, at the age of 92, after a life filled with joy, love, and dedication: for her husband, Dr. Meredith Montague III; her family; her work; and for opportunities afforded to her by her adopted country.
Eleanor was born in Genoa, Italy, on the 11th of February 1926, the only child of Frank and Sylvia Dino. The family settled in Eastern Pennsylvania, where Eleanor graduated as valedictorian from high school, then received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Alabama and a medical doctorate from The Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University College of Medicine). After an internship at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, where she met her husband, Eleanor earned a residency in pathology, followed by a radiology residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Following residency, the Montagues moved from New York City to Fukuoka, Japan, where Monty served in the United States Air Force and where Eleanor also worked as a physician. They moved to Houston in 1958 to join the fast-growing Texas Medical Center, where Monty entered into private practice and Eleanor enjoyed a long and fruitful career in Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Montague was a pioneer in the research and treatment of breast cancer, advocating for the use of radiation therapy and less invasive surgery as an alternative to radical mastectomy in appropriate cases. Dr. Montague authored and co-authored over 100 articles regarding the treatment of cancer. She received many honors and awards during her career for her contributions to the field of oncology, including the Gold Medal of the Radiological Society of North America, the Alumna Award of Achievement from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, the Distinguished Service Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the Janeway Medal from the American Radium Society, the Gilbert H. Fletcher Society Gold Medal for outstanding achievement in her field and the Marie Curie Award by the American Association of Women Radiologists. An award in her name, the Eleanor Montague Distinguished Resident Award in Radiation Oncology, was created by the American Association of Women Radiologists. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Omega Alpha, and was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame for her fierce advocacy of public health education and patient participation in treatment decisions.
Above all, Eleanor and Monty enjoyed their family, and instilled in their children and grandchildren a love of education and international travel, especially Italy. Eleanor’s family is comforted by memories of family togetherness on extraordinary family vacations, playing games and toasting “La Nonna.”
Eleanor’s beloved Monty predeceased her in 2002. Eleanor is survived by four children and seven grandchildren: Eleanor McCarthy, her husband Steve and their children Catherine (husband Shahab Nassirpour) and John; Trip Montague and his fiancée Vicki Walker; Tina Sparks, her husband Jim and their children George, Andrew and Nicholas; and Melanie Trent and her children Ellie and Jack.
The family would like to thank Svanhaniel Crim, of the Houston Hospice nursing staff, the caring employees of Brookdale Galleria, and most importantly, the tremendous trio of loving caregivers who are now part of the Montague family, Chevette Leach, Ernestine Dickerson and Jeanette Thomas-Hutchins.
The memorial service and celebration of Eleanor’s life is to be conducted at four o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 18th of November in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis and Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, Texas 77030 or the St. John’s School Scholarship Fund, 2401 Claremont Lane, Houston, Texas 77019 or by visiting www.sjs.org.