Barbara H. MONTERO

Barbara Hilda Montero, 78, of Belleville, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 24, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. Barbara, was born on November 18, 1945, in Nicaro, Oriente, Cuba, to Zoila and Ricardo Montero. Barbara, with her mother, father, and sister Marta, emigrated to the United States in 1960, fleeing communism and beginning their new life in Buffalo, New York. It was there she met and married her first husband, Omar Olano, and together they welcomed three children: Annie, Barbara, and Phillip. The family moved to Miami, Florida in 1970, where Barbara welcomed the arrival of her youngest child, Marta. In the early 1980s, new opportunities brought Barbara and her family to the St. Louis area, and she eventually settled in Belleville, IL with her beloved partner, the late Thomas Soucey. The holidays will not be the same without Barbara's touch, as she was known for creating a festive atmosphere that was second to none. She had a special affinity for Christmas, and even had a Christmas tree that was so grand that it was kept up year round. Barbara went out of her way to make everyone feel loved and special at Christmas and their birthday. She had a giving spirit and loved to shower her affections on the people in her life. One way Barbara shared her love with others was through her incredible cooking. While her talents were many, Barbara’s culinary skills were unmatched. Her pies were remarkable, set apart with her top secret crust recipe. Her potato salad at Easter, her Cuban pork with black beans and rice at Thanksgiving, and her ham at Christmas would have her family and friends’ mouths watering all year long. Barbara’s cooking left an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of tasting it. Her home was a haven of warmth and generosity, where no one could leave hungry. Anyone who knew Barbara would tell you that her humor and wit were as boundless as her hospitality. She loved to laugh and play games with her family, and many family memories were made playing dice, dominos, and Pokemon Go. Spirited, charismatic, intelligent, and loving, she had a knack for making every moment memorable. She was loving and supportive to those around her, and could always be counted on when someone was in need. Her stories, laughter, and sage advice will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Barbara was the heart and soul of her family. She is survived by her sister, Marta [Arnaldo] Paniagua, and brother Ricardo Montero; children Anne [Jim] Walsh, Barbara [Robert] Thomas, Philip Olano, and Marta Olano; her grandchildren Elizabeth [Michael] Minardi, Megan [Danny] Dyer, Randy Thomas, Nathan Olano, and Joseph Thomas; great-grandchildren Celeste Dyer, Aiden “Peanut” Kennedy, Taren Dyer, Ezra Dyer, Nolan Mueller, Killian Dyer, Mads Minardi, Eve Minardi, and Owen “Ocho” Dyer; her nieces and nephews Babette [Manny] Rox, Frank Olano, Todd [Yusimit] Olano, Olga Paniagua; Great nieces and nephews Wilfred “Dito” Rox, Yva Olano, and Vylet Olano; Barbara dearly loved her honorary grandchildren, Carla [Brien] Cox, Ashley Hollenberg, and Lindsay Penfold, along with their children, Jade Lewis, Madalynn McPherson, Connor Hollenberg, Rorie Odle, Reagan Smith, Reese Penfold, Lillien Cox, Zoey Cox, Lyla Hollenberg; She is preceded in death by her father Ricardo Montero, mother Zoila “Mimi” Montero, brothers Javier Montero and Juvenal Montero, grandson Michael “Mikey” Surrisi, and beloved partner Tom Soucey. Services will be held at Assumption Parish in O'Fallon, MO on April 1, 2024. There will be visitation from 9:30 - 10:30am, a traditional funeral mass at 10:30am, followed by a luncheon in the lower level of the church at 11:30am. The family wishes to extend their gratitude for your support during this time. In honor of Barbara, let us celebrate her life by embracing the joy of family, the pleasure of a well-cooked meal, the importance of a good laugh, and catching a few Pokemon. With her luck, may you find a shiny one!

Barbara H. MONTERO

November 18, 1945 - February 24, 2024