Anne R. Montross

It is with great sorrow that we share the sudden loss of Anne R. Montross, a longtime resident of Cranford, NJ. She passed away on December 11th, 2023 at age 78.

Anne grew up in Newark, NJ with her parents Maria and Manuel Rios. Her Portuguese heritage was very important to her and she was always happy to engage anyone who she thought may be Portuguese in some chatting in her native tongue.

She settled in Cranford when she married the love of her life, Cortlandt.  They shared 56 years of marriage and created a loving family.  She is survived by her husband Cortlandt Robert, daughter Kristin, (Michael Cacicedo), granddaughters Emily and Kaitlin, son Cortlandt David, (Diane), grandson Cortlandt Douglas and granddaughter Stella.  Nothing meant more to her than family. She spent her weekends cheering her children on in their activities growing up in Cranford and shared the same joy cheering on her grandchildren on the soccer pitch, baseball diamond, lacrosse field and on stage in Berkeley Heights and Ashland, MA.

Anne and Cort shared a love for traveling and watching baseball, especially The Boston Red Sox.  They also shared many weekends together playing cards with friends throughout the years. Anne immersed herself in all activities with joy, a sense of curiosity and a love for creating new friendships.  Anne made friends with everyone she met.  This holds true from the guys at Perrotti’s who knew her order as soon as she came in, to the many students and faculty that walked the halls of Cranford High School where she proudly served as the Attendance Officer from 1987 to 2015.  She made everyone feel welcome with a warm smile and instant conversation.  Her legacy is one of love, compassion, hard work and an ability to find humor and joy in everyday life.  May her little giggle live on in those who loved her.

Anne’s visitation will be held on Friday, December 15^th, at Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Ave., Cranford from 4:00-8:00PM, where her funeral service will begin at 10:00AM Saturday December 16, 2023. Friends may visit from 9:00AM until service time Saturday. Burial will follow in Graceland Memorial Park in Kenilworth. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the future Anne R. Montross Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit Cranford High School students.  Until the Fund can be set up, checks can be made out and sent to Cortlandt D. Montross at 23 Ridgewood Street, Ashland MA 01721 with "Anne R. Montross Scholarship Fund" in the memo line.