Ellen Crowley Monahan

Ellen Crowley Monahan, 90, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on Sunday October 15, 2017.
Ellen was born on August 3, 1927 to the late Russell Victor and Alice Burleigh Crowley in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1945. She then went on to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1949. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority; which her granddaughter, Colleen, also joined at the University of Michigan – albeit 60 years later.
Ann Arbor is also where she fell in love with her future husband, Edward (Ted) Clifton Monahan. They wed on September 10, 1949 in her hometown of Ridgewood. Together, they lovingly raised six wonderful children: Russell, Cliff, Leigh, Leslie, Tim, and John.
Always a hard worker and on top of the latest technology, Ellen was the first of her friends to have a personal computer. Even in the final years of her life, she used social media sites such as Facebook and Snapchat.
Another of Ellen's many passions was traveling the world. She and Ted made a point to visit several amazing vacation spots with their children.
In the late 1980s, Ellen and Ted built a house on Torch Lake in Michigan, where they would reside until Ted's death in 1991. A few years later, Ellen would move about an hour southwest to Traverse City, a city she would call home for the remainder of her life.
Ellen enjoyed her Tuesday nights out at the so-called "grazing with the girls" at Firefly Restaurant in Traverse City. She loved living in the area, specifically because of its unique and diverse four seasons, along with the wonderful arts the city has to offer.
Ellen will be fondly remembered for her work ethic, love for travel and animals and her unwavering support as a loving mother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Surviving Ellen are her children; Russell (Kathleen Semak) Monahan, Leigh (John) Fullbrook, Leslie (Mark) Peterson, Timothy (Bill Griffin) Monahan, John Monahan; grandchildren Jeffery Monahan, Colleen (Scott) Mihlon, Gregory Monahan and Chadie Adler, along with many other dear friends.
Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ted, her son Cliff and her brother Wendell Crowley.
A family gathering will take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible memorial contributions may be directed to her favorite Animal Shelter in Costa Rica, AHPPA. Address: 441 Garfield St. Denver, CO 80206, or to your favorite local Humane Society. Kindly share your thoughts and memories with Ellen's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .