Violet Margaret Paolucci Montera passed away February 16, 2017 in Greeley, Colorado. She had just celebrated her 90th birthday with her son and granddaughters and great-granddaughter.
Violet was born on February 12, 1927 to Gaetano and Lucy (Kabuda) Paolucci of Starkville. She graduated from Trinidad High School in 1944 and began working for Trinidad Power Company. On April 10, 1948 at 7:00 am in the morning she married Francis (Frank) Anthony Montera at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She always joked that the early morning time was a test to see who would attend. Many people did. They were married for 66 years until December, 2014 when Frank passed.
She and Frank built a family business. They said it was built on peanuts (Tom’s Peanuts). Violet was the detail and business manager, and truck loader. Frank was the salesperson.They had help from their two children loading the truck on cold winter days and nights and working the warehouse. Violet’s mom, Lucy Paolucci, also kept watch on the warehouse and helped with the inventory. They retired from the business in 1990.
Violet was a lifelong resident of Trinidad. She was active in the community in many ways including PTA’s, various fundraising events and helped the THS Band Parents raise funds to play in the Cotton Bowl in 1973 by selling lots of potatoes! She is well-known for her hard work and her creativity. She belonged to the Fisher’s Peak Hobby Club. She made intricatepersonal Christmas decorations, which she loved creating for friends and family each year. She was also an avid bowler and in many tournaments with her teams. In 1986, she began volunteering for the Welcome Center when it opened and continued in that role at the Center for several decades. In 1990, she was honored for her over 2000 hours of service.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. She is survived by her children, Viki Montera (Husband, Paul Heckman) of Davis, CA and Rick Montera (Wife, Jimmi Jo) of Greeley, CO; grandchildren Chancy Love (husband, Zach), Jena Ruvolo (husband, Mike), and Keiley Montera; step-grandchildren Geoffrey (Laura) Heckman and Joshua (Melissa) Heckman of Maine, Erika Heckman of Arizona, Garett and Colby Ripsam of Greeley, a great granddaughter, Faith Ruvolo and step-grandchildren, Logan, Liam, Ella, and Joseph Heckman; a sister, Lucille Ozello, brother and sister-in law, Tano and Loretta Paolucci of LaJunta; brother–in-law and sister-in-law John and Irene Montera; and numerous nieces and nephews.
On Monday, as she was thinking about her life, she told her son, “You know, I have had a very good life.” She did. She worked hard, cared a great deal about others and instilled the same in her family members. She left the world a better place. She will be missed.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 3PM-6Pm at the Comi Chapel.
Services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Fisher’s Peak Community Church, 10377 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad, with Pastor Rick Thomas officiating. Entombment will follow at the Our Lady of Sorrow Mausoleum, Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Mark Paolucci, Jeff Paolucci, Bob Shew, Jim Montera, Ron Barela, Rick Cordova and Tim Jordan.
The family respectfully requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice in her honor.
The family may be contacted at Rick’s home address: 34283 Weld County Rd. #33, Greeley, CO 80631
Arrangements are made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
