Mary Lou Campbell Monticello, 89, of Newport News, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 17, 2020.
Mary was born a coal miner’s daughter on May 7, 1930, in Boone County, West Virginia, the second of seven children.
While working in the typing pool for the FBI in Washington, D.C., she met her future husband, Clarence (Monti) Monticello, who was just beginning his career in the U.S. Army. Mary and Monti were married May 7, 1950. They were stationed in Virginia, Germany, New Jersey, Hawaii and New York, during which time they raised their family. They retired in Newport News in 1971. Monti preceded her in death in 1996.
After raising her three daughters, Mary became a grandmother of four and then a great-grandmother of three. She loved all of these children with all her heart.
Mary was known for her infectious giggle, her bowling and Scrabble skills, jigsaw puzzles, dancing and devotion to her family and friends. She was a phenomenal Scrabble player with extraordinary skills. Virtually every night featured a game. We would all try to beat her, but the reality was we rarely did.
Mary is survived by her brothers, William Campbell of Tateville, Kentucky, and Judson Campbell of Nashville, Tennessee; sister, Karen Guenther of Somerset, Kentucky; daughters, Janet Nevin (Joe) of Melrose, Massachusetts, Nancy Miller of Virginia Beach and Sandy Neades of Los Angeles, California; grandchildren, Jennifer Sloggie of Virginia Beach, Megan Sloggie-Moats (Zach) of Hampton, Sam Nevin of Brooklyn, New York, and Mike Nevin of Boston, Massachusetts; and great-grandchildren Aren, Roan and Sedona.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, with Chaplain Chuck Rowley officiating at Weymouth Funeral Home, 12746 Nettles Drive, Newport News. The family will receive guests beginning at 1 p.m. and the service will begin at 2 p.m. Mary and Monti will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery later this year.
