Wilhelmina Montalbano

Wilhelmina “Minnie” Montalbano (100) passed away peacefully at home on May 23, 2023.

She was born on Sept. 15, 1922, in her hometown of LaGrange, Ill., to Charles and Elizabeth Keizer. Minnie was the youngest of 10 children, all of whom lived into their 90s, (brothers, Jack, Hebo, Ralph, Herman, Cornelius and sisters, Zena, Etta, Hermica, Violet).

A born athlete, Minnie played baseball and ran track. When she was 13 years old, she long-jumped 16 ft.

She attended Lyons Township High School in Western Springs, Ill., where she later worked as an aid for the women’s physical education department. Minnie was adored by her students, who referred to her as “Mrs. M.”

It was also at Lyons Township where Minnie met her High School sweetheart, Alfred, who lived a few blocks down the road. With only $36 dollars to their name, Minnie and Alfred were married in 1942 and raised two children, Al and Sandra. They retired to San Jose, Calif., in 1975.

Minnie was named after the Dutch monarch, Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and for this reason, Alfred would often refer to her as “The Queen.” Alfred passed away in 2003 after sharing 52 years of marriage.

Minnie moved to Fountain Hills in 2004. She loved spending time with her family and friends, playing bingo, or sharing a meal. With a background in physical education, Minnie was an ardent sports fan. She was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan but slowly shifted, keeping close tabs on the Diamondbacks and Cardinals.

As a centenarian, she was born at the tail-end of one pandemic and outlived another. She went through the Depression and WWII and worked hard all her life for everything she got. Her longevity was contributed to the fact that she was an outstanding athlete.

She will be remembered most for her contagious smile and remarkable outlook on life which she shared with all who were fortunate to know her.

She is survived by her two children; son, Al Montalbano of Phoenix, and daughter, Sandra (Ron) Schwarer of Shell Beach, Calif.; her three grandchildren, Michael, Brian and Andrew, as well as her six great-grandchildren.

Minnie will be buried alongside Alfred in the family plot in Clarendon Hills Cemetery, 6900 S. Cass Ave, Darien, IL 60561, on Friday, June 16.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held in Fountain Hills later in June.