Montez Ierome Tabile

Montez Ierome Tabile was born on July 13, 1939 in the village of Salelavalu, Savaii, Western Samoa to Ierome Pauli Sio and Niniva Taoipu Papalii. In her own words “She loved her parents very deeply in her heart.” They taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ and the way to be truly happy.  She is one of 12 children with 5 brothers and 6 sisters.
Her parents had many church callings in Samoa that required their family to move. Because of this she never finished high school. She was blessed with a gifted mind and was very intelligent. Her memory and ability to recall names, places and stories helped her throughout her life and aided her as she researched family history. She loved genealogy and felt this was one of her callings in life of bringing families together.
In 1958, at the age of 19, Montez departed her family in Samoa and came to the United States. She stayed with her cousin Malia in Hollywood, California who was the daughter of grandma’s sister Ruta.  She hoped to bring her father over as soon as possible.
With the help from church members she found work and saved money. Later she got her temple recommend and received her endowments which helped her to work serving in the temple.
While working in the Los Angeles Temple she met her Uncle Iese Wilson from her father’s side. She never forgot her father and was trying to save money hoping to bring him over. In 1962, when her aunt Ruta arrived from Samoa they moved into a home in Torrance.
In 1963 she moved to Santa Ana and stayed with her uncle Iese Wilson’s family. There in Santa Ana, Montez met the love of her life. Vicente “Vince” Tabile. A Marine stationed in El Toro. He was not a member of the church when they met and was told she would not date anyone not of her faith. The missionaries were then contacted and Vince took the lessons and attended church and chose to be baptized. Shortly after they were married. But sadly in that year she would get news that her father Ierome Sio had died.
From 1963 to 1967, Military life transferred them to Hawaii. While being pregnant with Manuel they arrived in Hawaii where she met Vince’s kids from his previous marriage that later came to live with them. During this time before Vince got deployed to Vietnam they knew she needed help watching the kids. The money she saved for her father Ierome Sio was enough to pay for her sister Lagi to come over from Samoa to help. While Vince was deployed Montez worked to make ends meet while raising a family with her sister Lagi. During this time she studied and was able to do what was necessary to become a citizen of the United States at the age of 27. This decision was instrumental in helping her brothers and sisters to later immigrate to the United States.
She loved her family and their combined faith helped her to accomplish her goals of bringing them all together.
She loved her brothers and sisters and their testimonies of the Savior strengthened her. She was always happy being with her brothers and sisters and music was also a big part of their lives. She also enjoyed singing and playing the piano.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had a big influence throughout her life. From her early years until her death she was a missionary to others and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy it brings.  She served as  Relief Society President, Primary President, Primary teacher, chorister, cub scouts, Sunday school teacher, visiting teacher, and when she became home bound she continued to serve wherever she could.
In Sept. of 2000 she lost her husband to cancer. Sadly in 2006 Montez suffered an aneurysm and stroke which caused her to loose most of her mobility on the left side of her body. From 2006 until the present she was able to get around thanks to a variety of power chairs.  The church ward members in the various places she lived served her by coming to visit teach, bringing the sacrament, and checking in on her well being.  No matter where she went the church ward members loved her and she loved them.  Sadly in March of 2015 her daughter Lillian died from cancer, in 2016 her son Vicente Jr. died of natural causes, and in 2022 her daughter Estrellita died of a heart condition. With as much sorrow as she has experienced throughout her life she stayed valiant in her testimony of Jesus Christ.
Montez & Vince were blessed to raise 7 children. Normalita, Virginia, Estrellita, Vicente Jr., Manuel, Lillian, and Robert.  From those children they added 17 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter to their family.
When Montez left Samoa her father reminded her that if she needed help the Church is your family.  This proved to be true throughout her life . She loved her Sio family & church family and anyone she came in contact with. She was always very grateful for the kindness shown her and for the blessings she received throughout her life
Service Information
Viewing August 6, 2022 at 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Church of Jesus Christ 3305 South Scottsdale Drive, West Valley, UT





Funeral Service
August 6, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Church of Jesus Christ 3305 South Scottsdale Drive, West Valley, UT