Tracy Lynn Montagu, 64

Tracy Lynn Montagu (aka Me Muther, Muther BB, Aunt Twacybird, Lu, Uncle Tre, and the crazy lady in 111), 64, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of November 27, 2021, at her home at Generations Senior Living of Strongsville with her daughter and daughter-in-law by her side. She was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on August 28, 1957, to Irene (Wilke) and Milton Terheggen. They had 4 daughters with Tracy being the youngest. After graduating from Lakewood High School in 1975, she married the love of her life, Tom. Their marriage didn’t last long as she wanted to begin her career, and he wanted to travel. She began her customer service career and worked at Glidden Paints (later known as ICI Paints among many other names) until 2015(ish).

Tracy later married John and the new love of her life was born, her daughter, Courtney, who survives. 18 months later, she was left as a single mother raising her daughter on her own. Their life was a rollercoaster ride, but the love between mother and daughter never faltered. They were each other’s best friend. But that’s how Tracy was. She cared deeply and loved her family more than life itself. Her niece, Maura, who also survives, was like a second daughter to her and treated her just as she did with Courtney. She was kind, unconditionally loved her family and friends, and was the funniest lady you’d ever meet. She was a character, so full of life, light and love…really just full of it (“that’s what she said”).

Tracy was famous for her sense of humor and infectious laugh, (fun)-loving nature, kind (and often goofy) disposition, honesty, gift of gab, generally positive attitude, and ability to make everyone she loved feel special/unique. She loved a good pun and sharing jokes with others because laughter is always the best medicine. Infamous for leaving 10-minute voicemails, finding erotic shapes in the clouds, being too willing to share her Jabba the Hut impression, embarrassing her daughter and niece, spending 2 hours or more deciding where to eat dinner, and providing way more detail than anyone will ever want or need!

Whenever Tracy was around, she made sure you were taken care of. If you needed a mama bear hug…she was first in line to give it. One of the most comforting gifts was a hug from Tracy. She shared her kind heart with all who knew her and loved harder than most. She felt your pain and your happiness. She always tried to put others before herself. Tracy was a one-of-a-kind amazing human being that we were lucky to call friend. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Surviving in addition to her daughter, Courtney, and her niece, Maura McCafferty, are her sister, Irene McCafferty of Strongsville; daughter-in-law, Scottie Miller of Bryan; step granddaughter, Adrianna Springer of Bryan; sister-in-law and friend, Karen (Alois) Ballweber of Lakewood; niece, Stacie Ballweber of Lakewood; nephew, Andy Ballweber of Lakewood; special friend, Jeannie “Bean” McAfee of Strongsville; a lot of grand-furbabies and friends. Tracy was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters, Mary Jo Morris and Isabel Terheggen, brother-in-law Richard McCafferty, and friends.

Arrangements for Tracy are being handled with care from Tomon and Sons Funeral Homes. Visitation will be from 6-7:30pm on Friday, January 14, 2022, at the funeral home, followed by a memorial service from 7:30-8 pm. There will be another memorial service in Bryan at an undetermined date. We would like to thank Generations-Strongsville staff and Cypress Hospice for their exceptionally loving care during Tracy’s last days. In lieu of gifts, please consider a donation to Berea Animal Rescue Fund in her name.