MONTANEZ, ALEJANDRINA (nee Espada), beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on September 10, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on May 3, 1941, Alejandrina (Tita) was raised by her family near the ocean, in a large but loving household.  She moved to Chicago in 1959 where she worked as a seamstress, getting to create beautiful clothes for people, a passion she carried throughout her entire life.  She met and married Johnny Montanez on a beautiful sunny April day in 1960 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Chicago.

They put down roots in Chicago, making a home in Wrigleyville.  She gave birth to their first son Johnnie in 1961.  While working at Phil-Maid, she deepened her skills in seamstressy, and their son Elvin was born in 1965.

In 1973, the family moved to Skokie, Illinois where she made a cozy and warm home, filled with arroz con gandules and love. Many years and memories were spent in that small house, including the birth of her first grandchildren.  She loved to make clothes for them, including custom Halloween costumes, and sewing special flags for book reports on The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  After retiring from her career, Tita and Johnny moved to Florida in 2004, where they settled in New Port Richey, near Johnnie and his children.

She loved visits from her family and was happiest when she was with her children and their families. Even in her last few weeks in the physical world, people remarked on her sweet demeanor.  She will be missed.

She is survived by her husband Johnny Montanez; 2 brothers, Raymond (Puerto Rico), Lole (Chicago, IL);  2 children, Johnnie Montanez (Anna) of New Port Richey, FL and Elvin Montanez (Lisa) of Round Lake, IL; five grandchildren, Shannon Montanez-West (John West) of Boston, MA, Danielle Montanez-Calabrese (Sean Calabrese) of New Port Richey, FL, Scarlett Montanez of Round Lake, IL;  Katherine Montanez of New Port Richey, FL; and Spencer Montanez of Milwaukee, WI; 2 great-grandchildren, Tayla Montanez and Jack Preston Calabrese.

A visitation will be held at Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home at 8825 Old County Road 54 New Port Richey, FL 34653 on Wednesday September 15 from 3 – 5 pm. Funeral Services will be held Thursday September 16 at 11 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at 8320 Old County Rd 54 in New Port Richey, FL.