Elise S. Montoya

Elise S. Montoya, 59, of Carmel, Indiana passed away on Monday, September 26^th after a battle with ALS.  Born to Bruce (deceased 1994) and Mary Katherine (Stohler) Smitherman on January 29, 1963, she grew up in Mooresville, Indiana. She graduated from Mooresville High School in 1981. She graduated from IU School of Nursing in 1987.  She worked in labor and delivery as well as ICU at St Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. In 2013 she finished training as a Nurse Practitioner with a Masters of Psychiatric Nursing. She practiced outpatient as Psychiatric NP at CRG then later with IU Health. She is survived by her husband, Fernando R. Montoya  M.D., whom she married on December 30, 1988. Elise is also survived by her 2 sons, Ethan D. Montoya and Alec B. Montoya; her sister, Kristin Smitherman, and her Mother-in-law Juanita F Montoya (Henry deceased 2021) and sister-in-law, Monica O’ Brien (Steve) and Marisol Montoya (John), and several aunts and uncles. She is also survived by her 2 German Sheperds, Mitzi and Oso, who are well mannered because she trained them very well. Elise had a passion for life and was always active in many things. While in grade school she participated in 4H showing sheep as well as competing in dog shows. She was a cheerleader in high school. She has always excelled in her coursework amongst other achievements, she is a member of The Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor society. After her initial nursing work, she took time from work to raise her 2 sons, a job she loved dearly and also excelled at. Alec her youngest has autism, is non-verbal, and has severe behavioral problems. She has always known that both her sons are capable of much and has always advocated tirelessly and fearlessly for Alec to get him of all the services he deserved. She was a great cook and loved to frequently host Holiday meals for the family. She had a love for all living things and has always advocated for protection of the environment. She has a special love for Indiana wild flowers and was able to catalogue over 100 species in our 3.1 acre of mostly woods. She also taught her family the various different bird species in our backyards. She was active in her church, Second Presbyterian church Indianapolis, where she served as a Deacon then an Elder. She was a passionate advocate for inclusion of the disabled in church and started a special needs bible school, but unfortunately this was cut short by the pandemic and her illness. She has always been a person of deep faith and has lived her life exemplifying this. Elise was a great friend and would truly listen which is why people loved her. If she felt you were in need of something, she would be the first to try to help you with it. For this, she will truly be missed by her family and all her friends. There will be a calling and a celebration of life memorial service for her on Friday, October 7, 2022. Both will be held at Second Presbyterian Church Indianapolis 7700 North Meridian Street. The calling will be from 10-12 followed by the Memorial service at 12 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association or Autism Speaks.