Jana L. Montana

Jana L. Montana entered into eternal rest surrounded by her loving family on June 9, 2023 in Goodyear, AZ. Jana was born on July 7, 1960 in Winterhaven, California and grew up in Vecho and the San Lucy Village, near Gila Bend, AZ. From a young age she showed a great interest in academia, which led her to attend Stewart Indian High School in Carson City, Nevada. After she graduated, she went on to attend Bacone College in Muskogee, OK where she earned her Associate’s Degree. From there she went on to Northern Arizona University and finally the University of Arizona where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree. Jana continued to reside in Tucson after college and began working with Native American students in various Tucson schools. Thus beginning her life of public service. She moved back to San Lucy where she again became involved with her local community such as Parish Council for St. Lucy Catholic Mission, mentoring the local youth and serving on the San Lucy District Council. Jana’s interest in politics allowed her to be elected onto the Tohono O’odham Legislative Council as a representative for the past 12 years. This took her to many places such as Washington, D.C., Hawaii and Rome, Italy. Jana had many hobbies including drawing, cooking, sewing and spending time with her nieces and nephews. As a woman strong in her faith she also spent lots of time, traveling around Southern Arizona attending different church meetings and gatherings. Jana is proceeded in death by her parents, the late John M. Montana Sr. and Irene C. Montana; her siblings, Jerry Montana, Elsie Montana, Shirley Montana, Cindy Montana, John Montana Jr. and Wanda Montana. She is survived by her sister, Elferna Montana-Owl (Ezra); aunt, Lillian V. Celaya; nieces and nephews, Christina Montana (Steven), Gerald Montana-Lopez, Terrance Garcia Jr., Teralene Garcia, Crystal Owl; grandson,Arthur Frazier; as well as many Godchildren, cousins and longtime friends. Viewing will be Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 6 p.m., St. Lucy Catholic Mission, San Lucy, Tohono O’odham Nation. Mass on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 8 a.m with burial to follow at Pioneer Cemetery, Gila Bend, Arizona.