October 11, 1930 – October 15, 2025
Beaufort, S.C.
Placida Brazinski Montgomery, 95 of Beaufort, S.C.; formerly of Taylorsville, N.C., and Allisonia, Va., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.
Placida was known by friends and family as Pal. Pal was born on Oct. 11, 1930 in Elizabeth, N.J., the daughter of Adolph B. and Agatha (Stevens) Brazinski. She was sister to Adolph (Ade) and Zoe Brazinski. They lost their mother when Pal was 9, and the three of them were joined by four step siblings after their father remarried to Anne Hamley. All seven grew up going to the Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church that Pal’s grandfather helped build in 1896, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Elizabeth.
Pal and her brother Ade left Elizabeth together to attend Centre College in Danville, Ky., never to return.
While at Centre, Pal met Alexander Brooks Montgomery on a blind date. She and Alex were married Aug. 25, 1951 at Fort Meyer Chapel outside of Washington, D.C. At the time, Pal was working with the Armed Forces Security Agency (precursor to the NSA), and Alex was assigned to Company A of “The Old Guard” acting as a guard to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier among other duties. Pal never confided in anyone as to what exactly she did while with AFSA, but the family all understood she would have to kill us if she did.
After many moves early in their married life, Pal and Alex settled in Atlanta, Ga. Pal was a librarian for Catholic Schools initially and with the Cobb County Library System for many years thereafter, and Alex worked as a Fisheries Biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. They had a daughter Lisa soon after the first born, Brooks; and after a few years Robert was born. Vacations were spent largely “in the field” with hunting and fishing featured prominently.
Regular destinations included Sanibel Island, Fla., (before there was a bridge), Panama City, Fla., Dry Valley in Townsend, Tenn., and Allisonia, Va. Ultimately, they retired to a small farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains along Big Reed Island Creek and lived many wonderful years among a very special community. They took up gardening in their typical “take no prisoners” way, and her children and especially grandchildren always looked forward to a bushel of potatoes and canned vegetables every year from their bounty.
Pal had deep affection for books and knowledge. She was the quintessential craftsman, sewing outfits and PJs for herself, her children, and especially for her grandchildren throughout her life. She took up quilting in retirement, producing many for friends and family over the last thirty years. She had a beautiful soul and was grounded in her Catholic faith. As we let go of a remarkable woman and mourn her loss, we also celebrate her love and kindness.
Pal is predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Alexander Brooks Montgomery, and her oldest son, Alexander Brooks Montgomery Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Catherine Montgomery Schaffer (Gary), and her son Robert Clay Montgomery (Audrey), seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and numerous siblings, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral Mass was held at Saint Peter’s Historic Church, 710 Carteret Street at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Edwards Catholic Church, North Washington Ave. and 7 Street NW, P.O. Box 1670, Pulaski, Va. 24301.
Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.
