Yvonne Avina Montes

Yvonne Montes, aka Auntie Bunny, 65, passed away after a battle with cancer in her home with family on February 17th, 2024. She was born on September 19th, 1958 in Santa Clara, CA to Joaquin and Elvira Montes. Her older siblings are Irene Montes (d. 2012), Virginia Porras (d. 1997), Patricia Zamora, and Richard Montes. She was survived by many nieces, great nieces, nephews, and great nephews to whom she was a monumental part of their lives.

At only 16 years old, she graduated from Wilcox High School (Class of 1975)! She continued her studies at San Jose State University, and graduated with a BA in Mathematics in 1981. After completing her teaching credential, she began teaching Math at Independence High School. She would go on to complete her Masters Degree in Counseling while also working as a full time teacher! Her reputation as a teacher made others quickly learn that she had the ability to get her students to reach their fullest potential. Her students never got less than 100% of her efforts! Her drive and determination carried on throughout her career and culminated to her status of Head Counselor before retiring in 2020. If you could find a word that aligns with her foundational standard of character, selflessness would be it.

Even while putting so much into teaching, she worked part time on her days off with off and on stints between the Waterford store and Macys at Valley Fair consistently for 20 years.

Active in the Church and fully dedicated to the Lord, her connection to St Justin Church would span 40 years. She taught the RCIA program for children for more than a decade. She was known amongst her family to be a strong supporter of attending Midnight Christmas Mass: her favorite mass. Her encouragement of attending Church regularly would be a lifelong influence upon her nieces and nephews.

Lastly, she was very dedicated to her family. She devoted the last years of her life to taking care of her mom. She loved photography, arts and crafts, traveling, and crocheting. She always had some craft project she was working on. She was very welcoming to everyone that would come to family gatherings and inspired many with her loving ways.

Her funeral services will be scheduled on March 10th, visitation and rosary at Lima Mortuary on Winchester from 5-8pm. On March 11th, church service will be held at 11am at St. Justin Church in Santa Clara, CA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to SJSU for any scholarships for students of color.