Barbara O'Neill Montgomery

Barbara Montgomery, nee Barbara Ann O'Neill, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, at Emeritus of Glendale, in Glendale, Ariz.

Born Barbara Mellblom in Havre, Mont., on Jan. 29, 1921, the daughter of Victor and Thora Mellblom, her father was a brakeman on the Great Northern Railway Empire Builder.

Barbara grew up in Havre with her three brothers, Victor (Bud), Howard and Neil and graduated from Northern Montana College in Havre with an associate degree.

In the summer of 1940, Barbara was one of the first women to complete pilot training in the Civil Pilot Training program, a program to train young pilots in anticipation of World War II. After college, Barbara worked for the FBI in Butte, Mont.

Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) O'Neill, on Jan. 7, 1943, in Havre. Shortly thereafter they moved to Minneapolis where her husband was stationed as a pilot for Northwest Airlines and where they raised three loving children, Thomas (Tim), Stephen and Charlotte.

Following her husband's retirement in 1980 they moved to Carefree, Ariz. Barbara's husband passed away in 1987.

Barbara married George Montgomery in 1988 and continued to live in Carefree until George's passing in 1997.

Following that, Barbara lived in Edina, Minn., Bemidji, Minn. and Glendale, Ariz. Barbara enjoyed life, raising her family, and travelling with friends, was an accomplished cook and enjoyed golf during her time in Carefree. Barbara had a keen sense of fashion and the domestic arts and enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. Barbara was active in her churches in Minneapolis and Carefree.

Barbara is survived by her three children and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two husbands and a granddaughter.

Memorial service for Barbara will be held at the chapel at Best Funeral Services in Peoria, Ariz. on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 4 p. m.