Born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Robert Daniel and Georgia Elizabeth Fullmer Welti. Daughter, sister, wife, mother, and educator in every respect.
Liz was the eldest of five daughters and grew up in an era characterized by intellectual expansion and examining the interconnectedness of society and one’s place in it. Liz charted a courageous path of physical and spiritual exploration in her youth and adulthood and cherished connection communing with her closest companions in nature. Ski racing, mountain climbing, backpacking, and river running were as meaningful and alive as the blush of a desert rose petal, the smell of petrichor, or marveling at sunsets. Liz reflected the grace as she found in every small, sacred facet of the world.
As a powerful listener with an authentic spirit, Liz had a remarkable ability to connect with people at their core; she was able to find the best in others, and gently helped them see the best in themselves. Her ability to form relationships is reflected in each of her many deep friendships, as well as through the thousands of students she mentored during her 35+ year career as an English Professor at the Salt Lake Community College. Liz completed her master’s degree at Utah State University with two young children underfoot as she typed out her thesis. Liz advocated for critical thinking at large, for honoring stories past and present through folklore and oral histories, for uplifting early childhood education and children’s literature, and was an early adopter of community partnerships and student-led community projects in her classroom. She will be remembered as a phenomenal teacher who ensured education was means for advancing equity and humanity.
Liz radiated true beauty inside and out. After years of courtship, she married “her own true love” (Chris Montague) in 1979 and continued a harmonized life of adventure while renovating historic homes, traveling, playing folk instruments, and laughing together throughout their partnership. Their children, Tyler and Annie, were showered with unconditional love and support through every season of their lives. Her soft hugs, her joy, her curiosity and her belief in them were benchmarks of her parenting.
Even after being diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer in 2024, Liz insisted on leading an op.mis.c, full and independent life right up to her passing on Earth Day. In sync, her husband, Chris, passed away two days later. Liz lives on through her son Tyler and daughter Annie (husband Dan), her sweet sisters, beloved dog Buddy, and more family and friends than can be counted.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Liz’s honor the morning of August 23, 2026 at Red Butte Gardens (details to follow). In lieu of flowers, the family is grateful for contributions made to the Elizabeth Montague Memorial Scholarship fund at the Salt Lake Community College: hgps://.nyurl.com/LizScholarshipFund.
