Maria Montes Fink

Admired by all who knew her, Maria Montes Fink passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Maria was a strong and elegant woman, possessed of extraordinary energy and generosity, and a lifelong belief in the power of political activism.

Born in Brawley, California to Luis and Rosa Montes, her early school years were spent in Morgan Hill. The family settled in San Jose where Maria married in 1947 and started her family of five children. She went to night school and earned her GED in her late 20’s so that she might better provide for her children. In 1969 she married Francis Fink, adding four more children to her family. She considered her children her greatest accomplishment.

Maria worked for Santa Clara County, first in Children’s and then Drug Abuse Services. It was here that Maria tapped in to her strong desire to be involved in advocacy. She remained involved in union, farm worker and community issues for the rest of her life, forging a passionate partnership for union activism with her late husband Francis Fink, a well known local labor and civil rights activist. She and Francis embodied the optimism that the world can be made better through our engagement with the struggles of the working class.

As a union steward for SEIU 715 she led the fight to secure pay credit for bilingual skills.

Traveling to many conferences, she became chair of the retirees’ chapter of SEIU Local 715 and in 1997 received a commendation from President Bill Clinton for her pledge work at the National Seniors Council. She was invited to Clinton’s 2000 inauguration ceremony and ball, attending as a representative of SEIU. Always a classy dresser, Amy Dean of the South Bay labor council called Maria the best-dressed woman in the labor movement.

As part of her union activism, Maria spent countless hours picketing and attending marches in support of United Farm Workers (UFW.) She was invited to sit at the family/dignitaries tent at Cesar Chavez’s funeral services. Maria took a stand on community issues such as policing and mental health, and was an early board member of Los Lupenos Mexican Folklorico. In 1995, the San Jose city council presented her with a commendation for her many years of service and advocacy.

Above all Maria Montes Fink, a gourmet cook, loved her large multicultural family. She embodied to its fullest extent, the word “matriarch,” acting as a surrogate mother to any and all who came her way. She insisted all who dared enter her kitchen learn the cha-cha. Maria and Francis shared 42 wonderful years of marriage and politics, filled with wonderful food, music, dancing and laughter in Maria’s kitchen.

Maria is preceded in death by her loving husband Francis, daughters Maria Teresa and Kathy, and son Rufino. She is survived by her children Dolores (Daniel), Joann (Jennifer), Amando (Luz), Chris (Makiel), Tom, and Libby, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, and her siblings Fidel, Amando and Consuelo (Jim.) We extend our sincerest gratitude to Nicanor Barcellano for his loving care of Maria during her final years.

A celebration of Maria’s life is being planned for June 2013.