Stacey Hunt Montalto
September 10, 1960 – June 17, 2022
Stacey Hunt Montalto.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stacey Hunt Montalto, on June 17th, 2022, at the age of 61, from advanced cancer in the liver. Stacey passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loved ones.
Throughout her life, Stacey embodied the virtues of optimism, dedication, and compassion as a co-worker, community member, organizational leader, family member, friend, and mother. She truly believed in and exemplified servant leadership in all her roles and always looked for ways to support others.
Stacey was born on September 10th, 1960, in Pasadena, California. She grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts, attending Belmont High School and later Cornell University for her undergraduate degree, receiving a B.A. in Biology and Society.
While at Cornell University, she dedicated much of her time to Cornell’s Big Red Band as the Head Manager, Pep Band Conductor, and a member of the Symphonic Band, cultivating her love of playing music and making life-long friendships along the way.
After college, Stacey called many places home over the years, including Fort Worth, Texas; Hawthorne, New Jersey; Hermosa Beach, California; Oakhurst, California; Lexington, Massachusetts; and Rocklin, California.
Stacey held numerous professional titles throughout her life, including the Director of Development for Fortworth Symphony Orchestra and General Manager of Newark Symphony Hall, where she spearheaded a multi-year renovation and revitalization project.
After receiving a Master’s in Business Administration from UCLA, Stacey was a Managing Consultant for Towers Perrin, HR Project Manager for Oakwood Worldwide, and then went on to work for the Cheesecake Factory for over a decade, first as a Management Recruiter and then transitioning into the role of Talent Systems Analyst. In the last few years of her life, she worked as a Senior Business Partner for Mercyhealth system.
As an avid supporter of the arts and music education, Stacey was a band booster for Yosemite High School Marching Band, Vice President of the Friends of the Bulldog Marching Band for California State University, Fresno, and a co-founder of the Big Red Band Alumni Association.
Wherever she went, Stacey found a community where she could express her love of playing music by becoming a member of the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band, Oakhurst Community Band, and Lexington Bicentennial Band.
Stacey always had enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference in the communities she lived in. In Hermosa Beach, she started her stay there as a volunteer with the RUDAT (Regional Urban Design Assistance Team), which laid out the plans for a major revitalization of the city’s core downtown area. In Oakhurst, she served her foothills community as a YUSD (Yosemite Unified School District) school board member and a Sunrise Rotary member.
Stacey loved nature and outdoor activities, which influenced many trips and excursions throughout her life. Her love of SCUBA diving and sailing took her around the world. She also traveled throughout the United States several times to visit many of the nation’s historic and magnificent natural sites. More recently, she often spent her free time outdoors hiking, kayaking with friends, birdwatching, and taking her dog, Piper, on walks.
Stacey was preceded in death by her mother Natalie ‘Talie’ Hunt, sister Marcia ‘Stephanie’ Irby, and stepmother Joanna Hunt.
Stacey is survived by her two daughters, Meagan and Kelsey Montalto, and their father, Steve Montalto, as well as by her sister Kimberly McCarthy and spouse Clay McCarthy, her niece Cassidy McCarthy and nephew Quinn McCarthy, and Stacey’s father, Willis Hunt.
In place of sending flowers, Stacey requested that donations be made in her name to Cornell University’s Big Red Band.
Also, per Stacey’s request, two memorial services will be held on each coast of the United States, where her ashes will be scattered. The ceremonies will take place in the summer of 2023. At that time, we invite anyone who knew Stacey to attend and celebrate the light and love she spread everywhere she went.
Details about the ceremonies will be announced at a later date.
Forever in our hearts.
