Mariah Jean Montgomery

Mariah Jean Montgomery, 45, a resident of Fort Myers FL (formerly of St. Louis MO and Pasadena CA) passed away in Fort Myers on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. She was born March 25, 1979 in Jacksonville FL and spent her childhood in Springfield MO. She ventured west to Los Angeles CA in 2001 where she received her professional degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Mariah loved and rescued cats and bunnies. She volunteered at the L.A. Conservancy, Lee County Supervisor of Elections, SWFL House Rabbit Rescue, Animal Refuge Center, SWFL Horse Rescue, and Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. Her innate creative abilities led to a multitude of artistic endeavors. She researched and interacted with the history and culture of every area in which she lived. She was an accomplished fashion designer, a multi-faceted artist, and an invested community member.

Immediate family includes her mother, Monta Montgomery of Springfield MO, and her sisters, Meagan Montgomery of Fort Myers and Marla Barnett (Nathan) of Snohomish WA. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, Joseph Martire, and other treasured friends from coast to coast. Her gift of sensing, seeing, and expressing the world through various dimensions and colors enriches the spirit and lives of many individuals. She has been embraced in heaven by her dad, Dennis Montgomery, and by Rollo Montgomery, Mildred (Montgomery) Meers, and Ferrell Meers (paternal grandparents), Norma Jean and Richard Wood (maternal grandparents), and her uncle, William Wood.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southwest Florida House Rabbit Rescue or your local historical preservation society. A funeral mass will be held at 11 am on May 3rd at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Springfield MO. Burial will immediately follow at Hazelwood Cemetery. A celebration of life will take place at Mariah's childhood home after the service.