Ricky, Marina and I were friends and bandmates at Banning High and Long Beach Jr. Concert Band and the Montano home was like a second home to me. Mr. and Mrs. Montano were always friendly and welcoming. I can still remember the smell of cakes baking in the kitchen and watching the big mixers with cake frosting. I last spoke with Mrs. Montano in her kitchen in 2019.  We talked about her family and the conversation eventually moved to Wilmington crime statistics, police work, and the community.  My condolences to the Montano kids and their friends and family. 
Raul Saldana

MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE FAMILY. ELEANOR WAS THE PERSON THAT TAUGHT MY MOM TONA GUERRERO HOW TO MAKE AND DECORATE CAKES, WHICH MY MOM DID AS A HOBBY FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS. REST IN PEACE ELEANOR AND MAY GOD GIVE YOUR FAMILY PEACE. LOVE RACHEL FRAUSTO, TONA'S DAUGHTER

Rest in Peace my  Dear Eleanor, 

You were amazing and made this world a better place. 

I loved our meets for lunch and I will always cherish our phones calls. Your courage and moral compass were insperational to me and many others.  You protected the most vulneral and called out injustices to those who were in power and needed little cake diplomacy to get onboard to see the issues that needed attention.  

You always checked on me and my family, even after I had retired.  I remember a phone call while I was still working, it was short, but to the point. I pick up the phone, and the voice said: "have you gotten something for your wife for Valentine's Day," and then just hung up. Of course I laughed, and I new it was my dear friend Eleanor, just sharing a kindly reminder of what was the right thing to do that particular day. That's what Eleanor always did, doing the right thing was always in fashion, and always will be.  

Your a first ballot inductee to the World Of Kindness, Hall of Fame.
 Spent your kindness,compassion and love currencies, without limits, knowing the more you spent the more you received in return. I will always be grateful for your frienship and to knowing that you loved me is truly a gift I get to keep for the rest of my life. I will miss You!!

Ralph Morales, Ret. Sgt. LAPD

My sincere condolences and prayers go out to the family of Eleanor Montano.  She was one of my first mentors and role models when we served on the board of the Wilmington Boys and Girls Club.  She knew how to get things done for her community and I truly admired her strength and tenacity.  May she rest in peace and always be remembered as a strong force in the Wilmington community.  ❤️💐

My Nina was the best “cake lady” back in the day in Wilmington… 🎂 
May she now rest in peace

So sorry to hear about Eleanor . Eleanor was such a nice lady. I remember when I got married in 1985. She made my wedding cake.. that was the first time I met her. Years later when I worked at the Wilmington Chamber in 2006 -2012 I met her again. I always loved her coming in and talking to me and telling me stories of Wilmington.. She will definitely be missed. I was thinking about her the other day and wondering how she was doing.. Then  I heard she passed. I’m so sorry. She was a beautiful lady. .  🌹

Aunt Eleanor was a phenomenal woman. 
Her cakes were the BEST, especially her carrot cake. She had great Christmas 
parties and elegant style.  She accomplish AMAZING goals with love, compassion & hard work. 
We will all miss her.

We will miss you Auntie.  We love you.  Rest in Peace.
We will always remember the beautiful Birthday Cakes you made all of us at one time or another.
Love, Pat, Brenda, Frankie, Ashley, Michael & Lili Montano

My Dear Eleanor, 
How can I thank you enough for making the quality of other's lives, including mine, so much better.  I thank God that He brought you into my life 30yrs ago.  The lives you have touched, the dedication of over 50 yrs of service to your community and the City of LA is priceless. You have taught me so much and inspired me to become a better person. Your encouragement and compassion brought me through tragic and difficult times in my life.
Your journey here on earth has come to a close and you have crossed over to the Lords loving arms. I feel at peace knowing this.
I love and miss you, Eleanor. I'm heartbroken that I no longer will hear your voice or be able to see you. 
To the family of Eleanor, I offer my deepest sympathy.

This picture is from one of Eleanor's Birthday Celebrations in recent years at the Szechuan Restaurant in Lomita.  Pictured from left to right, Tom Horton, Jim Dixon, Kathie (Palada) Dixon and Gay Horton with Eleanor.  Gay & I always made it a point to celebrate her birthday.  It was a joy.  We always had a happy time.  We loved to watch her open up her gifts.  We will truly miss this Classy Lady.

The curtain has fallen and this great ladies role has ended. Her legacy will live on in the wonderful things she did for Wilmington, and all the lives she touched in their time of crisis, and those of us who knew her.May this tribute be a reflection of the glorious life she lived. My deepest sympathies for the loss for your family. I wish heaven had visiting hours.

Our condolences to the Montano Family and the numerous friends.  I had been close friends with Eleanor for 33 years.  She taught me a lot through the years.  She was a wonderful mentor and confidant.  She was close by at my darkest moments and helped me through the struggles.  She became family and referred to me as her adopted daughter.  One of the things she said often to my husband Jim jokingly, you better treat Kathie good, or I'll have to sock you and then she'd laugh.  I am going to miss her so much.  I have felt the void since I found out she passed away.  The last time my husband and I saw Eleanor was on Easter Sunday.  I will remember the last words she said to me, "I love you", the response after saying that to her, something we always said to each other., whether on a card, a phone call or face to face.  Thank you, my dear Eleanor, for all the time we spent together for all those many years and the exciting times we shared.  I'll always remember those special times being together at the organizations you belonged to, and I became a part of them as well.  There will never be another you.   There are so many memories of you to hold onto.  I'll remember everything you taught me and continue to apply it to my life.  You'll be in my heart for a lifetime.  
I LOVE YOU.  ~Kathie~

OBITUARY

Eleanor R. Montano

1 May, 1930 – 29 April, 2025

Funeraria del Angel Wilmington

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