Delores Mae Montgomery

Delores Montgomery passed away on November 10, 2025, due to complications from Alzheimer's. De was born July 19, 1952 in Lansing, Michigan to George and Eileen Owen. She lived her entire life in the Lansing area, attending Verlinden Elementary School, West Junior High School, Sexton High School, and Michigan State University, where she earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology.

Her love of the environment started at an early age and she started volunteering at Woldumar Nature Center in high school. She worked there part-time during college as a camp counselor and full-time upon graduating from Michigan State as a naturalist. She continued her affiliation with Woldumar for years, volunteering on various committees and as a member of their board of directors.

Her professional career as a geologist began with the Department of Natural Resources (Later D.E.Q.) in the late 1970s. She ended her career in 2015, retiring as the Chief of the Hazardous Waste Division. Despite numerous lucrative offers from the private sector, she stayed true to her roots, working on the regulatory side of issues. She was inducted into the Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame in 2022.

She loved attending her children's sporting events, award ceremonies, concerts, and graduations. For many years, she loved attending Michigan State hockey and football games until health issues prevented it.

She was predeceased by her parents, George and Eileen Owen; two brothers, Robert Moore and Gary Owen; and a stillborn son, Matthew.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Tom Montgomery of Grand Ledge, Michigan; son Patrick (Kayla) and their three daughters Addie, Khloe and Ava all of DeWitt, Michigan; and daughter Mandy (Sean O'Malley) of Lake Bluff, Illinois.

A memorial service and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Delores's name to Woldumar Nature Center (5739 Old Lansing Road, Lansing, MI 48917 - please find link below).