Alberta Rae Montgomery, known as Madhuri or Bert to family and friends, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loved ones, she was 80 years old.
Madhuri was born in Georgia on November 25, 1942, to Thomas Taggart and Ruth (Grimshaw) Taggart. She was the oldest of four children. She grew up in Philadelphia, PA, and Sharon Hill, PA. Spending most of her childhood in Sharon Hill, graduating from Sharon Hill High School in 1960.
Madhuri studied nursing and earned her RN at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Wheaton College in Illinois.
Madhuri met her husband Don L. Montgomery of 54 years while in nursing school. They met by chance on a train headed to Fort Louis Washington in 1966. She was transporting a friend’s belongings to her, and he was headed to be deployed to Vietnam. After Don was discharged from the service he remembered where Madhuri had been going to school for her BS in psychology and went and found her there. They married on November 23, 1967. Shortly thereafter they moved to Colorado where Madhuri worked as a psychiatric nurse, introducing new innovative and interactive therapy techniques to teenage patients in nature. Often, she would take the teens on camping trips to Brainard Lake just above Ward, CO.
In 1972-73, Don and Madhuri drove their Land Rover across the country and down to Panama exploring Columbia, Peru, and Ecuador by bus, train, and boat for six months. They then moved to Fort Morgan, CO and began the process of adopting their then 6-year-old son Benjamin from the Philippines. Two years later they adopted their 2 and half-year-old daughter, Vikki.
Madhuri continued her lifelong career of nursing in the psychiatric field until she became a Hospice nurse in later years. As a Hospice nurse, she offered peace and compassion to the terminally ill and their loved ones.
Madhuri had always been on the path not only to experience but to gain spiritual enlightenment. Exploring the many avenues to find the right path for her. There on this path, she found Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, often known to her devotees as Amma or Mother. A spiritual leader and humanitarian revered as the “hugging saint”. With her spiritual guidance, Madhuri found her true spiritual self. As she followed Amma for 30+ years she became a dedicated humanitarian herself, donating to many international causes as well as local causes throughout her life.
Madhuri had many interests she enjoyed in the last years of her life such as gardening and becoming a book club member in which, she found common bonds with each of her cherished fellow members. Attending Satsang regularly was an important part of her life as it continued to bring her peace and love from Mother. As well as maintaining close relationships with many Amma devotees, her “brothers and sisters”.
Madhuri was a strong supportive wife to her husband Don. She was a loving mother to her two children Ben and Vikki, and a loving Granny to her two grandchildren Ivy and Lucas. She is survived by her brothers Phil and sister Jinni as well as her nephews and nieces and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her youngest sister Grace and two great-nephews.
She will be truly missed by all left in the wake of her passing, leaving a large hole in each of our lives. We will always love you and always miss you mom.
“Nature is a huge flower garden, animals, birds, trees, plants and people are the garden’s fully blossomed flowers of diverse colors. The beauty of this garden is complete only when all of these exist in unity, thereby spreading the vibrations of love and oneness. Let us work together to prevent these divers flowers from withering away, so that the garden may remain eternally beautiful.” — Amma
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Amma foundation to support humanitarian efforts. MA.Center.com
My sister Bert…what a treasure she is to me