Mary Coulter Montgomery
August 30, 1956 ~ August 24, 2017
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
Mary Coulter Montgomery 60, died on August 24, 2017 in her Asheville apartment. Mary was born on August 30, 1956 in Asheville, North Carolina and was a lifelong resident. She attended Asheville High School and graduated from the Newfound School. She was inducted into the WNC Sports Hall of Fame and was awarded a swimming scholarship to Florida State University.
Mary began swimming at a young age and was an exceptional athlete. Her dream was to go to the Olympics and she made that dream a reality. Mary was coached by her mother and went on to win the Olympic Trials in the 400 Individual Medley and placed 6th in the 1972 Munich Olympics at the age of 15. Later she went to the Pan American Games and won a silver medal in the 800 Freestyle.
Mary worked in the hospitality industry for many years and was an ambassador for Asheville. She also taught swimming lessons and coached many competitive teams over the years.
Mary was a bright, compassionate and caring woman. She never met a stranger and was always kind and thoughtful. She was a talented artist, poet, cook and animal and nature lover. She especially loved the mountains, art, crafts, music and everything Asheville! Mary loved to laugh and enjoyed the company of good friends and being with family. She loved life and valued each day.
Mary is survived by her father Wayne Swope Montgomery; brothers Swope and Woody; sisters Ann and Jane; sons Tim, Mike and Conor; grandchildren Sophia and Owen, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In Lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Mountain True, 29 N. Market Street, Suite 610, Asheville, NC 28801 or to the Southern Highlands Art Craft Guild, Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC 28805.
The family will hold a celebration of life service at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 30 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden.
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Mary will always be remembered as a lovely person. I remember many times when I drove her to work and she would tell me of her life. She had lived a busy, full life, She had fond memories of swimming and of her boys. She was an on the ball person who tried to do right all her life. I am thankful we knew her for the last few years of her life.
My deepest condolences to Mary’s family. May your precious memories help ease the pain of your loss. May the God of all comfort grant you peace through our Lord Christ Jesus. (Isaiah 61:1, 2; John 6:40; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Revelation 21:3, 4). Heartfelt prayers are with you.
Coach Ferris you made a very vital impact on my life during my high school years (Potomac High) when you taught me to use my ‘weaknesses’ and my strengths to my advantage. You truly understood me and made me the best I could be…….and I have carried that into my adulthood/parenthood and I am forever greatful. You were a great role model and teacher. You showed me how to ‘get out in front and stay in front!’ I will cherish our talks forever and remember…….’Andre’s no fish out of water.’ To Mary’s family I send you my condolences and I wish you comfort during these hard times.
Oh Mary, you were such a talented person & one to look up to in high school! You’re too young to be gone! God bless & it was awesome knowing you!
It is so sad to learn of Mary’s passing. She was such a vibrant, caring, and beautiful person.
It was such a blessing to know Mary these past few years. I learned so much from her, mostly about how to relate to people. Mary never met a stranger! I am so grateful to have had her in my life. My prayers and condolences to all of her family.
My daughter loved having you as her coach on swim team. She looked up to you and always spoke of your kind heart. She misses you. We feel blessed to have you in our lives.
Coach Mary left an imprint on our whole family, as a radiant and loving being who genuinely cared about others. My son was a swim student of hers, yet she cared about his life and about him as a child & emerging person in this world. We are all the better for knowing her. There is nobody else like Mary, and therefore her passing is felt with depth. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mary’s family. We will remember her loving spirit and her presence in our lives.
My daughter Kendall says, ‘she was a great coach and I liked her a lot.
I am sorry to have learned of Mary’s passing from this life. I got to know her through church and a little bit through swimming. I have never known a better conversationalist. Mary’s spirituality, positive energy, care and concern for her parents and family, and love for the environment and for everything beautiful created a warm positive influence on anyone she interacted with. Asheville has lost a great citizen. Heaven has gained a great one.
It was so much fun having Coach Mary as a swim coach,she really impacted my life and as a swimmer she has really helped me improve on my swimming and was an AWESOME and AMAZING person and she was cheering us on at swim meets and now it’s like I can hear her saying ‘Go Stella you can do it’
Mary has made my life so happy.
Much LOVE Stella Moore
We were so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. All of Asheville had enormous pride in Mary’s achievements and for all that her family has done for the city. Mary was always so nice and sweet to our family. Indeed hers was a life well lived!
So sorry to read about Mary’s passing in the Asheville paper. I remember her as a young girl so full of life and drive. It’s been years but I have fond memories of your family.
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. The last time I saw her was at the downtown Racquet Club where she was energetically coaching a youth swim team. She accomplished much during her life and gave back to her community in countless ways. She represented our community and state in a wonderful way on an international stage at the 1972 Olympics and we are incredibly proud of her. I still remember her stories about witnessing from her room window terrorists take Israeli athletes hostage. We all could learn from the example of her life to make a positive difference in our community.
Such a wonderful soul now united with those who have gone on before. We will miss you, sweet Mary.
Blessings to Wayne and all the family.
My heart is with you all.
Prayers go out to the Montgomery family. She was truly an inspiration and the best swim coach ever. She always believed in me and everyone around her, pushing as all to become better each day. Her constant smiles and laughter will never be forgotten. Thank you for everything you’ve done. We’ll miss you Mary. <3
The Scotchie Family sends our sympathy and love to all the Montgomery Family ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I was very sorry to hear about Mary’s death a few weeks ago. I knew Mary through he swim coaching at the Asheville Racquet Club. I was one of the older members who participated in he Masters swim clinics both in the early am and evening. Mary provided encouragement and great coaching to a swimmer returning to the sport for physical fitmess and I enjoyed her supportive comments. I also had the play tennis with were her Father Wayne Montgomery MD. It was a pleasure to know two members of the family.
I was unable to attend the celebration of her life service due to the Day of Atonment.