Obituary of Niki Montalvo

Niki Montalvo (née Nydia) passed away on October 7, 2022. The daughter of Juan Montalvo and Gregoria (Gollita) Diaz of Puerto Rico, she is survived by her brother, James, as well as her nieces and nephews Liza (goddaughter), Irene, Tony, John, Maeve, and Morgan and their partners, and 6 great-nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents and her siblings Clara, Nellie, Lavinia (Libby), Doris, George, and Victor.

Niki was an educator and caregiver at heart, a beloved godmother, and a devoted friend who helped countless people in her community over the years. She was an active leader in her church, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, where she served as a pastoral associate. She taught at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic School from 1982 to 1993. In other instructional positions, she served as principal of Corpus Christi High School, led a Head Start program for the children of formerly homeless families in Queens, served as director of an adult education program, and taught English as a Second Language. Born in Manhattan and raised in Manhattan and Brooklyn, Niki graduated with her bachelor’s from Vermont College. She continued to pursue her own education later in life as well, graduating with a Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education in 1993.

Niki brought joy wherever she went, and many are familiar with her wry and infectious sense of humor. In a profile of her as a graduate student, she is quoted as saying: “You can’t always change the whole world, but you can change your corner of it.” Niki certainly changed her corner of the world many times over, and all who knew her are better for it.

The memorial viewing will take place at Riverdale Funeral Home, ​5044 Broadway, New York, NY 10034 on Friday, October 14, from 4-8pm. The funeral mass will take place at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs on Saturday, October 15 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to two of the places which meant so much to her and which continue her mission of service and caring for the community - Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School, 71 Arden Street, New York, NY, 10040 and Schoenstatt Sanctuary, 337 Cary Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310.