Carol W. (Wiley) Monahan

Carol was born on February 12, 1932 to Lawrence Knibb Wiley and Dorthy June Green Wiley in Manhattan, New York. With her parents already successful in show business, Carol was featured on radio programs as a child actress, talented in both acting and music. The family spent time in both New York and Hollywood and eventually returned to their homestead outside of Richmond, Virginia, in Goochland County. Carol graduated from Goochland High School in 1949. After a quick trip to New York City where she discovered she was too short to qualify as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall (she really did try out) she returned to Richmond, Virginia where she met Robert J. Monahan on a blind date. Bob (Robert), originally from Pittsburgh, PA was working on a job assignment in Richmond. When the job was over three months later, he told Carol “I’m moving back to Pittsburgh, you comin?”  Thus began her married life up north, eventually residing in Sewickley, PA.

Many in Sewickley may remember Carol from the 1970’s as a PTA member, a Girl Scout Leader and a co-founder of PYP (Parents, Youth and Police) a group effort to find a place where youth in Sewickley could hang out safely. She worked for many years at Sewickley Valley Hospital in the Family Services Department. Carol was a yoga instructor in the 70’s and honored that she was invited to host Swami Rama at her Bell Acres home in Sewickley. Carol returned to Goochland County, Virginia in 1992. She spent 25 years there enjoying her gardens, her lifelong friends and neighbors and lived peacefully in the log home her father built.  During this time, she was a prominent drummer and leader of Dances for Universal Peace in the Richmond and Charlottesville areas. Carol eventually moved back to Sewickley to spend her last years surrounded by family.

Carol was a trained dancer and talented musician with a beautiful singing voice. She loved music, nature, her gardens, the creek and her trees. She loved her family and many friends.

Carol was predeceased by her parents, Lawrence Knibb Wiley (1981) and Dorothy Green Wiley (1992) and her husband Robert J. Monahan (1984). She never remarried. She is survived by her four children, Kerry Monahan of Sewickley, PA; Scott L. Monahan (Janis Liebhart) of La Quinta, CA; Lynn Monahan of Pittsburgh, PA; and Kathryn Monahan of Tucson, AZ. Also surviving are grandchildren Jordan Monahan (Heather), Evan Monahan, Greer Monahan (Adriana), Zachary Kumer (Rachel Hower), Jim Munizza (Emily Gilmore), Harley Kauppi (Lexi) and Great grandchildren Ruby and Stella Monahan, Donevan, Mya and Kai Gilmore, and Laura, Lola and Maximus Kauppi.

As per Carol’s wishes, there is no visitation or services, however, the family sincerely appreciates your memories, good thoughts and prayers. Arrangements are entrusted to RICHARD D. COLE FUNERAL HOME, LTD., 328 Beaver St., Sewickley, PA 15143.

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