Obituary of Marie J. Montella

Marie J. Montella, age 94, of Glen Mills, PA passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 22, 2024, at Paoli Hospital. Born to Pasquale and Elisabetta Talucci Cozzone in Downingtown, PA, she has been a resident of Concord Township since 1964.

Marie graduated from Downingtown High School, Class of 1948. She attended West Chester State Teachers College and graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1952, and later achieved her Master's equivalency in Education. Marie's teaching career spanned more than 31 years in public education. She began her career teaching first grade in the Coatesville School District. Later she taught in both Linwood Elementary and Marcus Hook Elementary Schools. In 1966, she joined the Garnet Valley School District where she taught 4th grade for one year at the Francis Harvey Green Elementary School Marie then developed, instituted, and started the kindergarten program along with her principal in the Garnet Valley School District. She taught kindergarten until her retirement in 1995, serving the school district for 29 years.

Some of her educational accolades include the Positive Teaching Award in 1985 presented by PA. Governor Thornburgh and the Distinguished Alumni Award from West Chester University in 1996. She was nominated for GVSD Teacher of the Year in 1989. In 1999, Marie was acknowledged for her outstanding achievement, receiving an Impact Developer Grant.

She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority for Outstanding Teachers in America. Marie trained in the Gazelle GIS ELL Institute screening process, at Yale University. She also received the Delaware County Innovative Teaching Award for children's theater.

 Marie helped establish a kindergarten program in Cartagena, Colombia. She was a speaker in the GVSD in their academic Excellence Award ceremonies and was a GVEA workshop leader on "How to help young children become good students". During her career at Garnet Valley, Marie was a Mentor, Inclusion, and Lead Teacher at the Francis Harvey Green School, in Bethel Twp. At Concord Elementary School, Marie again was a Team Leader, a member of the Instructional and New Teacher Induction Council, a GV District Curriculum Coordinator, and a Building representative.

Marie led Garnet Valley Education Association parent community workshops on " Helping your child to succeed in elementary school," and was recognized by the American Elementary Education Leadership in 1971 for her advancement of elementary education and service to the community.

Some of her areas of service included the Mary Campbell Center for the handicapped, coat drives to benefit the Wesley House, Chester, PA., canned food drives, Saint Thomas Country Fair, the Fresh Air Kids Foundation NYC, March of Dimes, Bethel Mayfair, Concord Reach Community Festival, Winterfest Community Festival, service to civic groups including World War II Commemorative projects with the local VFW and American Legion. She was also involved over the years with her husband Carmine, with the Sons of Italy Organization, especially the former Dante Alighieri Lodge in Concordville, PA.

Marie has been a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Glen Mills, since 1964. Her faith played a very important part in her life.

She participated in numerous fundraising and ministries in the parish, and church food, toys, and coat drives. Marie was an avid reader, had a love of learning, laughing with her friends, and being supportive of others. She loved to shop and had great style. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Marie will always be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and love of teaching children in her community. In addition to her parents, Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Carmine T. Montella, Jr, and her sisters, Elsie DiStefano, and Philomena Schneider. She is survived by two children, Gerald (Sue) Montella, Esq., and Lisbeth "Leesa" (Michael) Bucci, four grandchildren, Anthony (Tara) Bucci, Carmen (Lora) Bucci, Melissa (Drew) Hughes, and Michael Montella, and eight great-grandchildren, Isabella, Luca, Mila, Carmine, Michael II, Lucianna, Gio, and Emilio.

 A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 29, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd, Garnet Valley, PA. An additional visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 430 Valleybrook Rd, Glen Mills, PA from 9:15-10:15 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Interment, St. Thomas the Apostle Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to the Marie J. Montella Education Scholarship, GVSD Business Office, 80 Station Rd, Glen Mills, PA 19342. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.