Mary Helen Ybarra Monahan, 88, of Ventura, California, passed away on December 29, 2022. Mary Helen was born to Aurelio and Soledad Sanchez Ybarra, who emigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico. They eventually settled in Santa Paula, California, where, on July 19th, 1934, Mary Helen was born. She was the 10th born of their 13 children.
In her youth, Mary Helen’s family lived on Limoneira Ranch where she attended Olivelands School. Her family later moved to Fillmore, where she graduated from Fillmore Union High School in 1952. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Art from Ventura College in 1954. One of her most valued achievements was her Summer Art Scholarship at the Los Angeles Art Center. As an artist, Mary Helen loved to draw and sketch anything from a whimsical caricature to a meticulous graphic reminiscent of a Mondrian artwork.
Following her artistic inclinations, Mary Helen spent her career in drafting. Initially she worked as a Drafting Technician in the planning department at the City of Ventura. Later, she was the Graphic Designer for Chevron, and held Technical and Geotechnical Illustrator roles at other companies in California before retiring in 1992.
Mary Helen was a fun-loving person who never took life too seriously. She loved dancing and music and played the saxophone. Mary Helen also had a competitive spirit and loved all sports. She played basketball, softball and volleyball, mastering any sport she wanted. She earned awards throughout high school and college for most outstanding female athlete. She loved billiards and golf with a passion. At age 77, she achieved the dream of all golfers by making a “hole in one”. Proudly, she won many medals and trophies.
She was a proud survivor and strong woman, battling and eventually beating breast cancer in 1994.
Mary Helen met her life partner, Vickie Poliquin, in San Rafael in 1981. They moved south from Marin, eventually settling in Ventura. Mary Helen taught Vickie the game of pool and they often traveled to pool tournaments, playing in the Amateur Poolplayers Association league and in many local women’s pool leagues throughout Ventura County.
Mary Helen was preceded in death by her parents Aurelio and Soledad Ybarra, brothers Joaquin Ybarra, Luis Ybarra, Fidencio Ybarra, Marcelino “Woody” Ybarra, Tony Ybarra and sisters Encarnacion Ybarra, Aurora Ybarra, and Margaret Ybarra Hernandez and grandson Kevin Monahan.
Mary Helen is survived by her life partner Vickie Poliquin, former spouse Jim Monahan, daughter Patty Monahan Holmstrom, son Steve Monahan all of Ventura, daughter and son-in-law Laura and Jay Dickinson of San Luis Obispo, daughter and son-in-law Joanne and Paul Stetson of Cork, Ireland. Granddaughters Kelly Monahan of San Luis Obispo, Rachel Hodgson of Oakland, Caroline Stetson, Cork, Ireland, Brittany Monahan of Los Angeles, and Mimi Monahan of Ventura, grandson Patrick Monahan of Oakland, step-grandson Timothy Dickinson, Oregon, great grand-daughters Devlynn Monahan and Arianna Brainard of Colorado. Mary Helen’s surviving siblings are Lupe Ybarra of Fillmore, Mary Ramirez of Ventura, Lou Ybarra (Maria) of Maricopa, Arizona, Ed Ybarra (Christina) of Goodyear, Arizona. Not to forget her numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mary will be greatly missed by family and friends.
“Fly high with the Angels, Mom – I miss you already and am still processing the thought that I will not see you on this planet anymore.” Quote from her daughter, Joanne Stetson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, California Central Coast Chapter, Ventura County Regional Office, 2580 E. Main Street, Suite 201, Ventura, CA 93003 California Central Chapter (alz.org)
Funeral Services will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish at 3175 Telegraph Road, Ventura, on Saturday, January 14, 2022 at 10:00 AM. Please contact Laura Dickinson for details regarding the service at 805-268-9020. Arrangements are under the direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura.