Sophia Montaño Cancino, 82, of Flagstaff died on July 9, 2005 at her home surrounded by her loved ones. Sophie was born on January 19, 1923 in Alameda, New Mexico to Miguel and Selsa Montaño. As a teenager, she came to Flagstaff to help her aunt, Frances Chavez, at her restaurant on S. San Francisco St. She married her loving husband, Sam, in December of 1941, after which he shipped out with the U.S. Army Air Corps. In January of 1945 Sophie's mother passed away, leaving four siblings Max, Johnny, Miguel and Alice. By this time Sam and Sophie had two children of their own. So in December of 1945, they packed everybody up & moved to Flagstaff. So these two 20+ year olds raised an instant Family of six, and had another child two years later. Sam was a barber in Flagstaff for over 50 years before passing away in 1995. Sophie worked at the Grand Canyon Café for many years & built up a long list of regular customers. She enjoyed ceramics, crocheting & bowling. Sophie won numerous ribbons in the county fair for her ceramic & crochet work. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Sam, and a brother Max. She is survived by 3 children, Dan Cancino of Gilbert, AZ, Mike (Phyllis) Cancino of Phoenix, AZ and Dolores (Bob) Schrader of Flagstaff, 2 brothers Johnny (Betty) Montaño of Page, AZ and Miguel Montaño of Yuma, AZ, one sister Alice (Louie) Cancino of Flagstaff, 11 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

A Vigil and Holy Rosary will be said at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, 224 S. Kendrick on Thursday July 14, 2005 at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, on Friday July 15, 2005 at 11:00 am with interment immediately following at the Veteran's section of Citizens Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations in Sophie's name may be made to Northland Hospice, P.O. Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ 86002.