Montserrat Pilar Luisa de Fays Lopez

Sweet Montse, Gerald's cariño of 61+ years, mama & maman, grandmaman & abuela, hija & friend to many went home to the angels on Friday June 5th, 2026.

Montse was born in Montblanc, Tarragona, Spain on May 22nd, 1943, to Isabel and Eduardo. Her sister Madgalena and her cousin Juana were her first and forever friends. She spent her early years following in the footsteps of her father as a clockmaker at Relojeria López, and into her late years remained proud of knowing how every gear and spring fit into even the tiniest watch.

In the early 1960's a dashing foreigner started visiting Montblanc and when their eyes crossed on an evening walk, they fell in love at first sight. Montse did not speak a word of French, Gerald did not speak a word of Spanish or Catalan, but that was no deterrent for that stubborn girl. Gerald went back to Belgium, hit the Spanish books and started a long correspondence - letters still carefully conserved in her treasure box.

They married in Poblet on Tuesday May 11th, 1965, proudly defying the "en martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques" superstition. She wore a dress she handmade with her mom, forever resourceful, a great seamstress, as well talented at knitting and crocheting anything from scratch.

For a girl from a small Spanish village, she packed her 83 years with travel and adventure! The newlyweds first moved back to Belgium then London then Brussels again, Montse learning French and some (little...) English along the way, grocery shopping while pointing at words in her pocket dictionary. In Brussels, she was quickly adopted and well loved by Gerald's large extended family. Her children Alexia, Denis and Hélène kept her busy, and when Martine, Charles and Isabelle needed a new home, Gerald and Montse did not hesitate, doubling the fun and certainly the gray hairs. They built a larger house in Lot (Beersel), obsessing over every detail and working hands-on on so much of it. And then, because six children may not be enough... Mom's beloved baby Adrien completed the family.

Gerald’s work as an engineer took the family to the United States, to Kentucky and then Ohio, where Montse delighted her new American friends and neighbors with her foreign charm, her delicious food and crazy English she learned from watching soap operas.

In her 70’s her memory started messing with her - Alzheimer’s is a cruel and brutal disease. Montse and Gerald moved to North Carolina and her children helped Gerald love her and care for her until her end. Alexia in particular moved in with them for her last three years and held down the fort with support and visits from her siblings. Montse was so loved, showered with giggles and hugs and kissed until her last minute.

She was charming and silly and neurotic and creative and hard working and fiery and presumida and a great cook and opinionated and a steadfast friend and helper. She was always busy-busy but also chronically late, ironic considering her clockmaker genes. More than anything, she LOVED fiercely, her family in particular, and taught her children well.

She will be dearly missed, by her husband Gerald, her children Adrien, Hélène, Denis, Alexia, Isabelle and Martine, as well as their spouses who she took on as her own children, Amanda, Abel, Dalila and Dave. And Carlos, who is also terribly missed, should be waiting to welcome her at the gates with his quick, hilarious jokes and infectious smile. And her ger grandchildren and her almost-grandchildren, she was crazy about them, Piper, Danica, Juno, Paloma, Eppa, Emile, Otto, Milo, Cloé, Stefan, Matias (and Malorie), Zoe, Odette, and Isolda.

In her last years, singing made her so happy, she will be remembered for her favorite, sung terribly off-key but with deep conviction in every word.

Adiós con el corazón, que con el alma no puedo Al despedirme de ti, al despedirme, me muero Tú serás el bien de mi vida, tú serás el bien de mi alma Tú serás el pájaro pinto, que alegre canta por la mañana.

Rest in peace beautiful Montse Au revoir jolie maman Hasta pronto mi vida.