Janine Hautehache Montgomery, age 91, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus surrounded by her loving family on December 19, 2023. Waiting for her at the pearly gates were her father, Papou, her mother, Mamou and the love of her life, Lloyd.
Janine was born and raised in Agen, France where she lived the first 30 years of her life. During WWII, Janine and her parents risked their lives to protect and secretly shelter refugees that were fleeing Holocaust violence in France. As a young adult, she met a US soldier named Lloyd, who became her loving husband for over 50 years. Lloyd and Janine spent an active life raising their family and staying very involved in community affairs. They often visited her family in France and hosted exchange students and family members in their US home.
Janine was well known for her cooking talent, particularly French cuisine, and opened a restaurant in Fayetteville called “A Taste of France”. A favorite memory is her teaching her children and grandchildren how to make a Bûche De Noël. Janine also enjoyed being involved in many activities, such as serving as president of the Lafayette Society of Fayetteville, participating in the French Club, volunteering at the local hospital, serving as an election precinct worker, and so much more. She had many friends and her social life was never lacking! As her life slowed down, she became interested in knitting blankets, hats, and scarves for all of her many family members. She taught herself how to stay connected through Facebook, often reaching out to family and friends to let them know she was thinking about them.
Maman, Mom, Nanny, our Queen… We love you with all of our hearts and we will see you again!
Janine is survived by her four children: Michele, Dominique (Larry), John (Carmen), and Kathy (Greg); nine grandchildren: Jeni (Jimmy), Michael (JJ), Christi (Ward), Nicole (Chris), Jeremy, Brian, Stephanie (Travis), Maddie (Mitchell), and Jake; ten great-grandchildren: Blake, Blaire, Emmy, Harrison, Mia, Will, Lawson, Hayden, Nathaniel, and Claire; two great-great-grandchildren: Braxton and Savvy; her sister Jacquie and family in France, Burundi, Réunion, and Canada.
Funeral services will be held at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home in Fayetteville on Friday, January 5, 2024, with visitation from 11:15-12:15 p.m., followed by Mass at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that helps wounded veterans and active-duty service members.