Denise Jo (Montanez) Clements
Denise Jo (Montanez) Clements passed away in Santa Barbara at Sarah House on Tuesday 1-17-2023 after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, she was 69 at the time of her passing.
Denise was born in Santa Paula, CA on July 15, 1953 to Mr. Joe and Virginia Montanez.
In 1958 the Montanez Family, Denise, her older brother Steve and younger brother Joe moved to Santa Barbara and in 1961 her youngest sibling, Danny was born.
Denise was very adventurous, outgoing, loved the outdoors and just a really fun person to be around. She enjoyed the Santa Barbara beaches, skydived, bowled, played tennis, softball and played soccer well into her late 30’s. She loved dancing, music, family outings, camping at El Capitan State Beach with friends and family, cruise ship vacations with warm weather beach focus ports, trips to Mexico, Europe and Yosemite. If you every brought up fishing you were sure to hear about the 154lb marlin she landed in the Sea of Cortez.
Denise began working at the Santa Barbara Cancer Foundation where she made lifelong friends and which enabled her to live independently. Later, Denise stayed in the medical field and worked for Alcon in Goleta and finally Mentor Corporation where she was the consignment coordinator.
Denise was an excellent cook and her spanish rice was always in demand when asked to bring a side dish to a function.
On March 17, 1984 while at a Saint Paddy’s day party she met Dan Clements, they bailed out of the party to go to a play at the Lobero Theater and were together ever since, getting married in September of 1985.
In 1987 they were blessed with a daughter Lindsay followed in 1989 with a son Aaron.
Denise is survived by her husband Dan Clements, daughter Lindsay Clements, son Aaron Clements, brother Steve Montanez, brother Joe Montanez (wife Cindy and nephew Christopher), brother Danny Montanez, Grandson Ashton Corral, Granddaughter Arrow Corral, sister-in-law Lori Clements, brother-in-law Brad Clements, mother-in-law Evelyn Clements, nephew Mike Eply and many loving cousins, and friends.
A memorial service will take place at 12:00pm on Saturday, January 28th at Calvary Cemetery 199 N. Hope Ave. Santa Barbara.
Immediately following will be a Celebration of Life at Mulligans Café located at 3500 McCaw Ave. Santa Barbara.
Donations in Denise’s honor can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Central Coast Chapter or the Shriners Children’s Hospital (Pasadena).