A Story of Generosity & Dedication in the Face of Hardship
Photo: (above) Mona’s late husband, Charlie Treyball, with Siddhartha School founder Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan and Mona at Tibet House in New York City.
Mona Pearl Treyball’s journey to the Siddhartha School began in the 1970s when she first met her late husband, Charlie, during her freshman year of college in New York City. Despite their strong bond, life eventually took them in different directions—Charlie took off for college in Maine, while Mona moved around the country, joined the military, and became a professor of nursing.
Photo: (above) Mona with her daughter Kattey and Rinpoche at her home in Washington.
Both went on to marry and start families with others. Though their families stayed in touch for a short time, they eventually lost contact. As fate would have it, Mona and Charlie reconnected 25 years later through a series of events involving marriages, divorces, and their children, with help from a few special people in their lives.
Photo: (above) Charlie, Mona, Rinpoche, and some of Charlie’s children–Ruby, Jack, and Annika–in Brunswick, Maine.
When they rekindled their relationship, Charlie was deeply involved in Tibetan Buddhism. Together, they spent a month in India, visiting Khensur Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashi Lhunpo, where the 14th Dalai Lama was teaching. Mona reflects on how much she learned and remembers Charlie as a guiding light in her darkest moments. After the loss of her parents, Mona and Charlie married in 2016, blending their families nearly 40 years after they first met. Tragically, just a month later, Charlie was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and he passed away in 2018.
Photo: (above) Rinpoche gives Mona’s grandchildren Zev (in red and blue) and Ari a blessing.
Before Charlie’s passing, the couple had planned to adopt a student from the Siddhartha School who wished to move to the United States. Though they had to set aside those plans, Charlie requested that, in lieu of gifts, friends and family make donations to the school to support its mission. With encouragement from Charlie’s dear friend and Siddhartha School co-founder Laura Kozaitis, Mona joined the SSP-USA Board of Directors, honoring Charlie’s legacy through her continued service to the Siddhartha School and commitment to Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan. Mona also invited Charlie’s adopted family member, “Farmer Matt,” pictured below, to join the USA board, supporting Charlie’s legacy and further enhancing the bonds of love and friendship in support of Ladakhi culture and traditions for children who are the future.
Photo: (above) Charlie (right), with Siddhartha School Partnership board member “Farmer Matt.”
