Dr. Aurelia Montgomery

Dr. Aurelia Montgomery, age 88 of Knoxville, passed away on April 8, 2024. Aurelia was a faithful parishioner of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and was a devoted mother, mother-in law, grandmother, cousin, and friend. She was the epitome of a southern lady but was also a tomboy at heart. A devout Catholic and a patriotic American, she had great respect and love for her Italian heritage and her Italian-American family. Aurelia became a teacher at Knoxville Catholic High School (KCHS) beginning in 1978 and continued serving East Tennessee’s Catholic community throughout her career, including as Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Knoxville, Principal of KCHS, and Principal of St. Joseph School, before retiring in 2011. As a life-long educator, Aurelia expected excellence from herself and her students and sought to teach by example. She encouraged everyone to believe in themselves and set high goals, emphasizing the necessity of cooperating with the Holy Spirit to do God’s will on Earth. Aurelia was preceded in going to our eternal home by her husband William Montgomery, parents Paul and Lydia Punaro, brother Angelo, and sister Teresa. She is survived by her son Paul, daughter-in-law Francesca, and grandson Anthony. A funeral Mass will occur at 10 am on Friday, April 19 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 Northshore Dr. Archbishop Joseph Kurtz will celebrate the funeral Mass, Priests of the Diocese of Knoxville will concelebrate and Father David Boettner will be the homilist. Interment will follow at the Cathedral Columbarium. A celebration of Aurelia’s life will occur at 5:00-6:30 pm on Thursday, April 18 at the Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike, for which the family invites Aurelia’s cousins, friends, former colleagues and students – anyone who knew her – to share a favorite memory, story, or whatever is on their hearts with all who have come to remember her. (This celebration will replace the traditional visitation/receiving of friends.) A Rosary led by Fr. John Arthur Orr will commence at 6:30 pm and conclude the event. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Dr. Aurelia Montgomery Memorial Catholic School Fund ,https://dioknox.org/dr-aurelia-montgomery-fund. , which will support Diocese of Knoxville Catholic schools.

Tributes

Dr. Aurelia Montgomery

April 8, 2024