Margaret Lynn Steelhead Montgomery, of Alhambra, 88, died peacefully in her sleep Monday, July 14, 2008.

She was born May 10, 1920 in Whittier. She graduated from Hoover High School in 1937, and then attended Stanford University and UCLA. She later graduated with a master’s degree in education and state teaching credentials from USC.

Mrs. Montgomery served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II, and was a 2nd lieutenant in charge of recruiting tours of duty at Ft. Douglas, Utah. It was there that in 1945 she met and married George David Montgomery of Dallas, Texas, an Army band leader and musician.

Mrs. Montgomery served on the teaching staff for many summers at USC-ISOMATA (now Idyllwild Arts), from the early 1950s into the 1970s.

The Montgomerys were long-time Idyllwild residents and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on June 8, 1994.

Mrs. Montgomery was active in PEO and started several new chapters in communities lacking them, including Idyllwild and Yucaipa.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at the PEO Home, Marguerite Gardens, 700 N. Stoneman Ave., in Alhambra. The phone number is (626) 300-0400.

Mrs. Montgomery is survived by a daughter, K. Gwen Montgomery of Alhambra; a son, David Bruce Montgomery of Avalon; a granddaughter, Lydia Maryssa Pollard of Albuquerque; two grandsons, Ryan and Scott Montgomery of Avalon; and cousins of the Steelhead family in California and Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Montgomery requested that tax-deductible donations be sent in her name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2501 San Pedro NE, Suite 116, Albuquerque, NM 87110, to help find a cure for her granddaughter’s disease.