Estella (Stella) Barrera Montgomery

Estella “Stella” Barrera Montgomery

September 19, 1933 – December 1, 2025

Our beloved mother, Stella, age 92, was called home to Heaven on December 1, 2025, in Houston, Texas.

Born on September 19, 1933, in McAllen, Texas, Stella was preceded in death by her father, José “Joe” Gabriel Barrera of Nuevo León, Mexico; her mother, San Juana “Jane” Saldaña Barrera of San Luis Potosí, Mexico; her sister, Gloria Diez Garcia (Angel); her former husband, Thomas David Montgomery; and daughters Elizabeth Montgomery and Leah Rae Borg, as well as numerous cherished relatives.

She is survived by her son, Brian Darrell Montgomery of Virginia; her daughters, Erin Meredith Montgomery and Lara Ysabel Klukas (Jim) of Houston; grandchildren Alyssa Claire Borg, Christopher Alexander Patton, Alexis Victoria Murdock, Meredith Grace Morley (Austin), Joshua Ethan Murdock, Madeline Camille Klukas, Lauren Elizabeth Klukas, Emily Blair Montgomery, and Thomas George Montgomery; great-grandchildren Hadi Christopher Patton, Reed Gabriel Patton, and Bentley James Gallardo; niece Susan Saenz-Solis (Fred); and half-sister Irene Barrera Gonzales (Larry). 

She is also survived by extended family: Tresa and David Olsen, Tina and Bobby North, Allen and Susan Montgomery, Jane Ann and Jake Finley, and David and Beth Montgomery.

Stella spent her early childhood in Tula, Tamaulipas, before returning to Texas as a young girl. Though fortunate to live comfortably in Mexico, growing up in the 1930s offered few luxuries. That upbringing shaped her—resilient and a force of nature. Anyone who knew Stella knew she was small in stature but commanding in presence. Her beauty, elegance, and impressive breadth of knowledge were admired by many. As a young woman, she was selected “Onion Duchess” at Raymondville’s festival in the “Onion Capital of the World.”

Stella’s beauty caught the eye of Thomas Montgomery when they met at a USO dance in San Antonio in 1952 while he was serving in the United States Air Force. They soon married, and within two years welcomed their first child, Leah, in 1954. Brian followed in 1956, Erin in 1966, and Lara in 1968. Their daughter Elizabeth, beloved but lost at birth in 1965, remained forever in Stella’s heart.

In the late 1960s, when Fort Worth was not yet the diverse community it is today, Stella was determined to share her Mexican heritage. As Den Mother for Brian’s Scout troop, she devised a performance of the traditional Mexican dance La Danza de los Viejitos—the Dance of the Old Men—a celebration of wisdom, culture, and the cycle of life. Under her direction, the Scouts rehearsed tirelessly, and their unforgettable performance won first place.

Throughout her life Stella was active in garden clubs, local volunteer efforts, and later the Hispanic community of Houston as a member of Sembradores de Amistad. She also served as treasurer of a local soccer club. At home, she delighted in cooking traditional Mexican dishes, and her tamales, pollo con arroz, and fideo became treasured family favorites.

After moving to Houston, Stella joined the workforce, spending many years in the energy industry before beginning a long and distinguished tenure at the Warwick Post Oak Hotel—later the Hilton Houston Post Oak. She earned “Employee of the Year” multiple times, a testament to her dedication and excellence.

Stella had a great love for animals, especially strays. Many pets found refuge with her over the years, but two were especially dear: Chipper, a loyal mixed-breed dog, and Priscilla, a beautiful and long-lived Calico cat. A host of others—Max, Teke, Baboo, Mimi, and Stinky—would follow in their pawprints.

Above all, Stella was a loving mother, sister, cousin, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was quick-witted and kind, with the ability to deliver a sharp but loving corrective when needed. She encouraged her children to strive for their best and provided guidance with her signature phrase, “by golly,” a family expression that will echo for generations.

Stella loved to laugh and found joy in life’s humor and its unexpected turns. She embraced the beauty of all cultures and taught her children to see nations not by their governments, but by their people.

She cherished road trips, especially the frequent drives with Erin to visit her sister Gloria and niece Susan and husband Fred in San Antonio—never without a stop at Buc-ee’s for an Italian sub, Jordan almonds, and Beaver Nuggets. In 2021, she proudly traveled to Dallas to watch her son Brian receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Five Star Institute, an honor she joyfully recounted for years.

Stella delighted in international travel as well, particularly to Mexico and to Spain to visit her sister and brother-in-law, Gloria and Ángel, in Crémenes, Province of Leon, Spain.

Her daughter Lara remembered their weekends as a tapestry of culture, faith, and simple joys. Though the family was not Jewish, Friday evenings sometimes included a visit to the nearby synagogue, filled with candlelight and song. Saturdays were devoted to the arts—ballet, symphony, and the wonder found in the halls of Houston’s museums. Sundays began with worship at Trinity Episcopal Church, the soaring choir and organ offering a powerful start to the week.

After church, the family might visit Hermann Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, or the Museum of Natural Science. On fair-weather days, they would spread a blanket on the lawn at Miller Outdoor Theatre, watching performances while Erin and Lara rolled down the big grassy hill like so many children before them.

And without fail, each outing ended in the same unforgettable way: Stella, laughing and animated, would accidentally back the car into the ditch near the parking lot. Erin and Lara—half mortified and half amused—would watch as a group of kindhearted men helped lift the car back onto the pavement. Stella, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and gratitude, would thank them profusely. It became as much a Sunday ritual as church itself.

We are forever grateful to God for the gift of our Mom, and will miss her laugh, her advice, and her never-ending love for us.  We love you very much Mom.   Descanse en paz, our beautiful Madre - by Golly. 

Memorial Remembrances: 

In Stella’s honor, contributions may be made to:

• United Service Organization (USO): https://give.uso.org

• Barrio Dogs, Inc. https://barriodogs.org/

P.O. Box 230677

Houston, TX 77223-0677

Services

The family will receive condolences on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 1:00–4:00 p.m.at Vasquez Funeral Home, 1805 Huge Oaks Street, Houston, Texas 77055.

The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 12535 Perthshire Road, Houston, Texas 77024.

The Rite of Committal will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 77007, where Stella will be laid to rest beside Thomas David Montgomery and her daughter, Leah Rae Borg.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.