'Matriarch' of Dance at SHSU Dies at 82

Matt Pederson
Huntsville Item Staff Reporter

Mary Ella Montague in 1983 Alcalde Photo

“Mary Ella Montague was the original faculty member, and we claim, the matriarch and founder of the dance program here,” SHSU dance program coordinator Dana Nicolay said.

When Montague came to SHSU in 1948, she taught dance classes in the physical education department. Over time, she developed a Master’s degree program and soon afterward, dance was a free-standing program within the university.

Nicolay said Montague’s problems began Jan. 23 after she finished up a dance class she was teaching.

“She, for many years, has taught a fitness class for women of her own age at the Episcopal church down on South Sam Houston,” Nicolay said. “I guess in that class, or immediately after that class last Monday, she was moving a chair and got tangled up in the legs of it and fell down. When she fell, she broke her pelvis and she broke her shoulder.”

Nicolay said Montague was taken to Conroe Regional Hospital, where she stayed for the next week. Although he is not sure of exactly what took place, he was told she suffered a stroke and was transferred into intensive care, where she stayed until passing away at around 3:30 Monday morning.

Ruth Cady, a former health professor, not only worked with Montague at SHSU, but went to school with her as well when they attended Texas State University for Women. Whether as students or colleagues, Cady said Montague’s love for dance was never hidden.

“She was a very dedicated dancer and did very well with the modern dance club and with the modern dance classes up at Sam Houston,” Cady said. “She was pretty strong in her beliefs about the dance field. Very artistic.”

Although Montague’s involvement in the dance program was limited in recent years, Nicolay said she was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever it was asked of her.

“I joined the faculty in 1987 and ‘Monty’ was still around, and over the years, she’s been a constant resource for me in all kinds of situations,” Nicolay said. “I’ve known her because of her association with the dance program, and what I know, is that she laid terrific groundwork for the program.

Nicolay said he did not get to know Montague nearly as much as he would have liked to, and he feels her passing is not only a great loss to the dance program, but to him, as well.

“Monty hasn’t been around the dance program for a while, but she has been in and around the community, and has been kind of a spiritual resource to me,” Nicolay said. “I’m a little bit surprised at what an emotional blow it feels to me to have her gone. Even though I didn’t see her every day and didn’t rely on her for every thing, the fact that she is gone, I feel a great loss.”

A memorial service for Montague will take place Thursday at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Feb. 1, 2006
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