Maria Isabel Montoya

Isabel Montoya, beloved wife to Leo, mother to Marisa and David, and grandmother to Leonidas, passed away on February 22, 2023, in the arms of her daughter after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 71 years old. Born on December 2, 1951, in Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in El Paso, TX, Isabel lived a life dedicated to her family, friends, and community. Isabel loved her mother more than anything in the world, retiring as soon as possible to spend as much time as she could with her. Her deep love and devotion to her family was the guiding force in her life. That same love and devotion was instilled in her children who will carry out her legacy. She saw motherhood not just as a duty, but as a calling, and she was a mother to all who needed her care - her love and generosity knew no bounds. She was supportive of her seven siblings and they in return were there for her when she needed them the most.

Married for 42 years, Isabel and Leo were inseparable and devoted to each other. They laughed, danced, traveled, and deeply cared for each other in sickness and in health. Isabel was a talented middle-school math teacher who had a gift for making numbers come alive for her students. Her passion for teaching was matched only by her unwavering commitment to her students, inspiring countless young minds to reach their full potential. She gave everything she had to anyone who needed it, always putting others before herself. Friends were often fixtures at family holidays. In her home, all were welcomed and everyone was family. She loved to throw a good party and would often volunteer to host a birthday or bachelorette. Hosting was her forte’ and she did it with grace and ease. Isabel Montoya's life was a testament to the power of love, kindness, and selflessness.

Her memory will live on as a shining example of what it means to be a truly good person. Isabel was deeply loved by her family; Husband Leopoldo Montoya; Children - Marisa Montoya & Michael Mercado; Grandson Leonidas Jaime Mercado; David Montoya & Idaly Montoya; parents Soledad Luna Luevano† and Alejandro Luevano†; May Montoya† and Richard Montoya†; Siblings and their spouses - Manuel† and Carmen Luevano; Susana and Roberto Espinoza†; Soledad and Ismael Corona; Alejandro Luevano and Edna Diaz; Ignacio and Nelly Luevano; Genoveva Luevano; Jose and Deborah Luevano; Patsy Luevano†; Richard Montoya; Her nephews, nieces, grand nephews, and grand nieces - George Luevano; Manuel Luevano; Elizabeth Luevano; Marcella Luevano; Brian Luevano; Monae Luevano; Jeff, Sonia, Nathanael, and Fredric Himelspach; Roberto, Stephanie, Harrison, and Herschel Espinoza—Nebhan; Gabriel Espinoza; Ricky, Pilar, and Baby Corona; Gabriel, Christina, Christopher, Iris, Michelle, and Adam Vidalez; Robert, Gracie, Autumn, Rhian, Aiden, and Arabella Corona-Blasofsel; Dominique Luevano; Joshua Luevano; Alex, Hillary, and Lily Luevano; Dyanna Luevano; Travis Luevano; Chloe Luevano; Steven Moralez†; Patrick Moralez; Nicholas and Bianca Luevano; Art and Ashley Avila; Josh and Alexis Pendergrass; Jamie, Ashley, Maddie May, Sophia, and Jay Daniel Montoya; Richard, Sara, Olivia, and Ariela Montoya; Her beloveds - Sandrita, Quinn, Alexander & Sabastian; Hollye; Rose; Penny; Jude; and all The Lost Boys.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday February 28, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Rosary at 6:00 p.m.; at Martin Funeral Home, 1460 George Dieter Dr, El Paso, TX 79936. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 11:00 am at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 7424 Mimosa Ave, El Paso, TX 79915. In Lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in Isabel’s honor to her grandson’s college fund at (http://paypal.me/leonidasmercado)