Donna Monahan

Mar 16, 1955 -

Apr 7, 2025

Donna Marie Monahan passed on April 7, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. She was born on March 16, 1955, in Anchorage to Harold and Stella Monahan. Her father worked at the Jonesville coal mine in Sutton and Donna would refer to herself as a true "Coal Miner's Daughter." The first seven years of her life were spent in Suntrana, Red Devil, and mostly Palmer. She was very close to her extended Palmer family, especially her aunt Jerrie and cousin Raymond. For almost 50 years, she also resided in Big Lake and Anchorage.

Following her graduation from West High School, her early years were filled with adventure and travel. After moving to Arizona, her brief residence was cut short by illness at the age of 21 that brought her back home. Donna's career spanned from legal secretary to office work on the pipeline to co-owning and managing an air service in Willow, Alaska, and ending in retirement from the Anchorage Police Department.

Her enduring friendships from every phase of life were a testament of her love and loyalty to these relationships. Her home was a haven for heartfelt conversations, rest, laughter and a warm shared meal, always with bits of wisdom. Donna had a winning personality and was so much fun to be around, finding meaning and joy in all her friends and furry children.

Despite many life-threatening hurdles due to early radiation treatment, losing Tasha her only child, her parents and her sister Brenda, she remained steadfast in her will to live. She leaves behind her adored cousin, Raymond Fuller and his wife Anni and their son Erik; "adopted daughter," Brenda Trefren; "adopted grandchildren," Sarah, Daniel, David, Matthew and Natalia - Donna was their "Mee-maw" and "Alaskan Grandma"; extended family in Idaho; beloved cat, Freddy; and many dear friends, especially Karen Malcolm-Smith, her best and lifelong childhood friend, all saddened by her passing.

According to Donna's wish, she will be cremated and her ashes spread over King Mountain near Sutton, where her life was created. Join us for a celebration of Donna's life on July 15, 2025, at 1 p.m., at ChangePoint Church in Anchorage. A reception will follow the service.