Josefa Montgomery

WEST CARTHAGE- Josefa Montgomery, 98, formerly of Stone Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, June 9, 2026, at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, NY. 

Born on March 8, 1928, in Czechoslovakia to Karl F. and Francesca F. (Hebek) Leiss, Mrs. Montgomery was a Holocaust survivor. She married Joseph F. “J.F.” Montgomery on May 16, 1961, in Wertheim, Germany, while he was serving in the U.S. Army; following his discharge, the couple left Germany to start a family. Mr. Montgomery predeceased her in 2009. 

A communicant of St. James Catholic Church, Josefa was known for her love of gardening, shopping, and jogging with her German Shorthaired Pointer. One of her proudest achievements was overcoming her fear of horses to learn how to ride at the age of 90 with her daughter, Delores. Above all, she cherished the time spent with her family and friends. 

Josefa is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Delores (John) Chaffee, Natural Bridge, NY; Mona (Thomas) Miller, Waddington, NY; Elizabeth Yager, of Livonia, MI; and Lydia (Robert) Farley, South Dayton, NY; as well as her sister, Emma Leiss and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her eight siblings. 

In accordance with the Josefa’s wishes, Private Funeral Services will be held at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are in the care of the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.bezanillafh.com.