Wisdom Women of Winter 2025
Ann Monahan
Meet Ann Monahan
Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Ann Dickinson started ballet classes when she was only three years old. She still remembers the name of her ballet teacher: Mrs. Reamey! But her talents don’t end there. While in high school, Ann wrote a column for the Arkansas Gazette called, “Heroes Among Us,” where she featured the inspirational accomplishments of her peers. Hew writing drew the attention of her English teacher, who encouraged her to major in journalism. However, Ann’s passion lay in the performing arts and she chose to study theatre at the Texas State College for Women.
After graduation, while apprenticing at a summer stock theatre near Buffalo, New York, Ann began dating the Assistant Director. The couple moved to LA to support his acting career. Ann gave birth to four beautiful children: Traci, Terry, Tyler and Todd. Her husband’s attachment to every leading lady he directed ultimately ended the marriage and the two divorced some years later.
Shortly thereafter, Ann met the star of “The Drunkard” in Van Nuys. Fortunately, Mike Monahan was not a drunkard, but a wonderful man who adored our Annie - peeking out at her from behind the stage curtain - a definite no-no. On September 1, 1967, the couple tied the knot, moved into their new home on Piuma Road, and hosted the wedding reception at their new place - all on the same day!
Mike had four kids of his own who wanted to live with Dad - so Ann instantly became the mother of eight! In her spare time (as if she had any!) she supported Mike’s career at the Showboat Dinner Theatre in Woodland Hills. She also founded the Showboat Youth Theatre, an innovative after-school program which included summer camps. Her program will commemorate a major milestone this summer by marking its 50th anniversary with a 2-week camp in Mammoth.
Tragically, the beautiful Piuma Road home that Ann shared with Mike and a multitude of beloved animals and winged creatures burned to the ground in 1970. Undeterred, she still lives in the Malibu canyon region, and is understandably traumatized by wildfires.
In 1978, Ann began her love affair with Science of Mind and has never deviated from our “Love Only” philosophy. Her personal mantra will not surprise you: “If I’m not giving, I’m not living.”
She lost her beloved Mike to a lung disease in 2006. Not surprisingly, she cared for him to the very end. When speaking of him she said, “Mike Monahan was the love of my life. I miss him still.”
I was amused that Ann yawned when she talked about her exercise video posted to YouTube, called “Gentle Yoga for Seniors.”
“It’s so slow!” she moaned. But the 4-year old video has more than 46,000 views and 381 “likes”! Movement and dancing have kept Ann on her toes for her entire life.
Ann is an invaluable member of GTC, having led our hospitality team for many years. She’s been sorely missed over the past several weeks as she recovers from some health challenges that required a hospital stay. But she’s back - ready and raring to reconnect with her spiritual family!
One thing is certain, “like” is not adequate to describe how we all feel about our Ann Monahan. There’s only one word: LOVE!
“No, NO! You can’t do that. I’m on the committee - I’m not eligible!
That would be so conceited!”
From Marilyn Murphy…
Ann Monahan’s protests - when I advised her that she would be our next “Wonder Woman” - fell on deaf ears. After all, there is nobody more deserving - and less conceited - than our beloved Ann Monahan.
I’m sure you would you agree.
