RADFORD – Anyone who knew Gail Montuori knows she often said, “You know, I graduated high school with Bill Clinton.”
A visit to her house would include a tour of the photos she had with the Clintons at the White House, among many political leaders from Virginia and the U.S. at large. Montuori served as chair of the Radford Democratic Committee for 24 years and often hosted governors, senators and other politicians at her home. She remained friends with Clinton throughout her life.
Montuori passed away Dec. 7, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, the Radford community gathered to remember her in a celebration of life held in the Radford High School auditorium. And among them was the former president himself, who traveled to Radford to speak about his long-time friend.
“Gail Montuori was on of the most remarkable people I ever met,” said Clinton. “She was completely real.”
Clinton told many stories about Montuori and their time growing up in Arkansas.
“We had an amazing childhood,” he said. “Gail was the editor of our junior high school newspaper and I was on the staff, so I started taking orders from her when I was 13-14 years old.”
“If this world had more people like Gail, we’d fight less and love more.”
According to her obituary, Montuori was born Oct. 10, 1946, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A graduate of the Hot Springs High School class of 1964, she went on to study teaching at Arkansas State Teachers’ College, earning both a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education.
“While teaching in Pensacola, Florida, she met, fell in love with, and married her future husband, Joseph Montuori,” it reads. “For the next 53 years, she remained a steadfast companion. After a short time in Virginia Beach, Gail and Joe settled in Radford, where they were part of the community for the next 43 years. While in Radford, she taught special education, both elementary and high school, in the Montgomery County schools, where she was a beloved teacher, helping generations of special-needs children achieve their highest potential.”
Montuori is survived by her husband, a daughter, Marissa Coon, a son-in-law, Joel Coon, and her beloved grandson, Jaxson Finn Coon.
