Beverly J. Montei

Beverly J. Montei, 85, died peacefully at home on November 11, 2023, after 18 months of living with pancreatic cancer. Born to Robert and Sophie (Janush) Johnson, she was a life-long resident of West Hartford. A graduate of Hall High School, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Connecticut State Teacher’s College (CCSU) and taught 4th grade at Norfeldt School before starting her family. Her varied careers included substitute teaching in the West Hartford Public School system, a stint in the housewares department at G. Fox & Co., and two long-term insurance positions at Aetna and AMS Services. Beverly was a member of St. Helena’s Church from its inception to its closing. She served as a Eucharist Minister and was a long-time member and past-President of the St. Helena’s Women’s Guild. She was also an active member of the West Hartford Belles. Beverly took great pride in her Lithuanian and Swedish heritage. She was a huge fan of UCONN Women’s basketball and enjoyed spending time in Pompano Beach and North Carolina’s Outer Banks. She loved her family fiercely and adored her grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 25 years, Gustave O. Montei, Jr., and is survived by her beloved partner of nearly 30 years, Leonard Kadel. She leaves three daughters and four grandchildren: Sheri Beach and her husband Thomas, Wendy Montei, Kristi Coleman and her husband Kevin; Kaitlin Beach and her husband Connor Tower; Jeffrey Beach, Michael Coleman, and Steven Coleman. She leaves her dear cousins Justin Robinson and his partner Robin White, Michael Robinson and his wife Meredith Vickery, and Joseph Janush and his wife Judy. She also leaves Len’s family: Jennifer Murray, Kyla Daneault and her husband Steve, and Erin Bowling and her husband Ray. The family wishes to thank the Hartford Healthcare Hospice team who were endlessly compassionate and supportive, and home health care CNA Yemisi Ottun, who made Beverly’s last weeks comfortable and secure and took an incredible weight off the family’s shoulders. Calling hours will be 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. A prayer service will be held there the next morning at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Connecticut Hospice.