Barbara Ann (Lees) Montaldi passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, January 23, 2025, in Boone, N.C.

A native of Erie County, N.Y., Mrs. Montaldi was born in Buffalo on August 16, 1932 to the late Howard Bertram Lees and Wilhelmina Rathmann (Adolff) Lees. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Francis Angelo Montaldi and her brother, Richard "Buster" Lees. Surviving are her sons Dr. Daniel Francis Montaldi, Dr. Stephen Howard Montaldi and Peter Angelo Montaldi. Barbara expressed her love for her husband and all of her children, and also wished to recognize special friends, Susan H. King, Sharon Covell and Ann Cook.

Barbara graduated from North Collins (N.Y.) Central School in 1951, where she excelled in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. She was salutatorian and vice-president of the senior class, editor of the yearbook "Reverie," a member of the student council and chorus, and participated with the swimming, badminton and horseback-riding intramural clubs. Her teachers wrote of Barbara  in "Reverie," "She was possessed of a delicate, feminine charm as elusive as the fragrance of roses." She also attended Eden (N.Y.) Central School, and studied at Toll Junior High School (Glendale, Calif.) and Palm Springs (Calif.) High School during travels with her mother after her father's passing.

Shortly after graduation, Barbara married Francis Montaldi, also of North Collins, on July 13, 1951. They raised 3 sons and resided in Fort Campbell, Ky., Bradenton, Fla., Boone, N.C., Athens, Ga. and Mars Hill, N.C. before finally settling in Boone in 1970. Both were part of the Appalachian State University community, Barbara working at the university bookstore for 20 years, retiring as an assistant manager of textbooks.

Barbara was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone. Donations in her memory can be made to Grace Builders at gracelutheranboone.org/donate .

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.