Jan Root (Jeanette Ruth Montgomery Root) went home to be with our Lord on Saturday, December 16, 2023. She had a peaceful passing at home surrounded by family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Anna Mae Montgomery of Las Vegas, NM and her husband, Mel Root of Las Vegas. She is survived by her brothers Dan Montgomery of Austin, TX and Ted Montgomery of Las Vegas NM, and her 3 children, their spouses and children: Annette Haggard and her husband Eric and son Joshua of Las Vegas, NM, Mary Kay Root and her husband Martin Brown of Santa Fe, NM and Mike Root and his offspring Bella, of Santa Fe.
Jan was born in Amarillo, TX and raised primarily in Las Vegas. She was a graduate of Robertson High School and of New Mexico Highlands University having earned two master’s degrees in chemistry and mathematics. Jan was a German minor and translated a number of chemistry notebooks which the university had received from German to English allowing others in the department to understand and study them.
After graduating from NMHU Jan taught chemistry at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She later returned to New Mexico and taught math in the Santa Fe, Mountainair and Española public school systems. She brought excellence to her work and was well-loved by her students.
Jan was a devoted Christian and was active in community organizations in Las Vegas in the 60’s and 70’s as well as Women’s Aglow during the 80’s. She was a generous contributor to the churches she attended and discipled other Christian women through Bible study and prayer. She studied both Greek and Hebrew to enhance her understanding of the Bible.
She loved spending time in nature, oil painting, and learning new things. She often joked that she was like the robot “Johnny Five” in the 1986 movie Short Circuit: she thrived on “input”.
From 1969-2013 she and her husband Mel owned and operated Western Life Camp, a kids’ summer sleepaway camp in the mountains, before handing the torch on to their children. Mel and Jan had a strong impact on many of the youth who attended, as well as the staff, culminating in valued lifelong friendships. For many, their mentorship continues to have a positive effect on their lives even today.
There will be a viewing at Rivera Funeral Home at 417 Rodeo Road in Santa Fe on December 29th from 5-7 PM.
A Memorial Service will be held in Las Vegas at Victory Life Church on Saturday, January 6th, from 10 a.m. – noon.
258 Frontage Road 2137.
You are welcome to join us as we celebrate a life well-lived.