Martin Francis Monahan, M.D., of Abingdon Virginia, passed away peacefully at home, November 4th, 2024, at the age of 79 after a long, valiant battle with Parkinsons.
He was born October 1, 1945, in Columbia City, Indiana, the oldest child of Robert and Margaret (Meyers) Monahan’s six children. Martin grew up in Detroit during its better times, attending University of Detroit High School and graduating from Wayne State University and its Medical School in1972. Martin married Lynn Ayn (Guenther) in May 1970 in Detroit. He served in Quantico, Virginia as a United States Navy physician treating marine personnel returning from Vietnam. While stationed there, Martin decided he never wanted to suffer through Detroit ice and snow again and chose Abingdon as his new home. He never regretted that decision.
Martin and Lynn raised two boys, Matthew and Ryan, in Abingdon. He spent his medical career at Abingdon Internal Medicine and working “rounds” at the “old” Johnson Memorial Hospital. Martin was totally committed to his patients and found answers to their medical questions without the internet. For much of his life he walked to work.
Martin was a man of few words but made up for it as an avid reader known for the stacks of books and newspapers next to his chair. Recognized for his hugely diverse interests, he never missed reading every issue of the New York Times. He was a true intellectual, but appropriately shared his knowledge in layman’s terms. He loved travel and had the privilege of seeing the world over his lifetime. But his favorite was New York City-- its museums, churches, diversity and especially the used bookstores.
Martin is survived by his wife, Lynn, two sons, Matthew (Ashley Stockton) Monahan of New Haven, Connecticut; Ryan (Melanie) Monahan of Abingdon; grandsons Oscar Monahan and Otis Monahan, New Haven; Silas Monahan, Abingdon; brothers, Michael (Laura) Monahan of Los Angeles and Dennis (Sylvia), Detroit; sisters Kathleen Vettese, Washington, DC; and Margaret (Ralph) Selvaggi, Abingdon; brother and sister in laws: Marina Monahan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Sharon and Bob Barnes, Huron, Ohio; Perry Gunther, NYC; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Martin is preceded in death by his parents, brother Patrick, and sister-in-law Robin Guenther.
The family wishes to thank caregivers Linda and Josh for their wonderful assistance caring for Martin during these past months.
A Celebration of Life is being planned in honor of Martin at a later time.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Martin’s memory to Faith in Action, 798 Hillman Hwy NE, Abingdon, VA 24210; The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 or to the charity of your choice.
Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services in honored to serve the family of Mr. Monahan.
He will be greatly missed and my prayers are with you all. I have wonderful memories of working for him and DR Steinberg when they first went out on their own and started Abingdon Internal Medicine and also my physician, which he is considered one of the best. He and Lynn were very caring and compassionate to me and several of my family members. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you all.
You’re a wonderful family and I’m honored and proud to call you my friends. ❤️🙏