Obituary of Genevieve Montague

Genevieve Montague, a life-long resident of Trenton and Ewing township, passed away on May 11, 2020. The cause was metastasized cancer. She was born on January 1, 1919, the seventh of eight children born to Lithuanian immigrants Martinus and Anna Bakunas. She was predeceased by brothers Stanley, Martin, Joseph, Francis, and Anthony and sisters Marie and Irene. Genevieve attended St. Hedwig’s Parish and Trenton public schools. After completing her schooling, she trained as a milliner and quickly began designing and selling women’s hats and notions for Norton, Farr and Cummings in downtown Trenton. Genevieve married Edward P. Montague, also a Trentonian, on September 7, 1940. The couple had four children, one of whom, Edward J. (Dana Roberts) Montague, predeceased her in 2012. Surviving children are Peter (Kathleen) Montague of Chevy Chase, MD, Renee (Anthony Giampa) Montague of Methuen, MA and Clearwater, FL, and Mary Ellen (Eric Campbell) Montague of Montreal, Quebec. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Her husband died in 1994. Genevieve was active in church and civic organizations, serving as President of the Altar Rosary Society at Incarnation Parish, as a member of the Ewing Township Historical Society and as a Mercer County 4-H Leader. She enjoyed searching for and refinishing antique furniture and collecting and restoring classic dolls. She initiated the purchase and restoration of a pre-Civil War house in Barnegat, NJ. After a serious fall in 1994 while trimming tree limbs she assiduously followed a prescribed program of walking and swimming. Year round she walked to the 6:30 am Mass at Incarnation and swam at the College of New Jersey. She also worked part-time for CoreStates Bank and it successors up to and including Wells Fargo. Her husband retired in 1972 and soon after she and Ed often traveled to Europe. After his death in 1994 she continued her travels with family and friends. Among her favorite stops were Lithuania, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Germany, and England. She will be widely remembered for her boundless energy, sense of humor and cooking/baking skills. Donations in her memory can be made to Morris Hall, 1 Bishop Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. Please enter “Employee Assistance Fund” in the memo section. Due to the pandemic, a Mass and in-person gathering in memory of Genevieve will be held later. Arrangements are under the direction of Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, Lawrenceville, NJ.