My Groovy Auntie Tones: January 2009

Ever since I heard the shocking news of my Aunt Toni’s passing on Tuesday, I’ve been filled with memories of her wonderful, constant and loving presence in my life. Toni was always there for me, encouraging me, supporting me, and loving me. She always made me laugh – there was nothing better than sharing a good laugh with Toni! (“What a riot!” she’d always say.) As Dan says, Toni was a great friend to have. Her curious nature and easy going personality always made me think that there are no strangers in Toni’s world; just friends she hadn’t met yet. She had a gift for making people feel loved, welcomed, and fortunate to be part of her family or intimate circle. She always saw the very best in everyone.

I have years of memories of Auntie Tones at our house on Logan Street, Castle Beach, the annual Fairs of Santa Cruz (both Spring and County), all those 70's shag haircuts she gave me, Harvey West, tooling around town in the backseat of her red VW bug (I still remember the great smell of that car), Pearl Street…How many birds did Toni and Dan have on Pearl? I remember the day Jake flew off of Toni’s head as she stepped out their back door. Poor Toni chased her beloved bird down the street, but he didn’t come back. Years later, Mauricio and I went to our local bird store in San Francisco. I wanted a cockatiel just like Toni’s Jake. Somehow we walked out of there with a parrot. I remember how excited Toni was for us saying, “Ooh! You got a hook bill!”

I remember Toni’s love of music: The Beatles, Buddy Holly, The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, Carole King, and of course, The King – Elvis. Toni always had so much love for us. I always felt her encouragement and support growing up. Carrie and I used to choreograph dances and put on shows for the family, where Toni was always front and center. I remember Toni getting a particular charge out of us “doin’ the time warp” to our well-worn Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack record.

When I was at Santa Cruz High I wanted to continue taking Spanish classes, but due to a schedule conflict I opted to take an early morning X period class at Harbor High. I would get up early and ride my bike to class, which was fine in the fall, but as soon as winter set in, riding in the cold, pre-dawn darkness wasn’t much fun. My mom worked early mornings, so she couldn’t give me a ride to school. Toni offered to do it. She lived around the corner from us, so every morning I would walk over to her house, knock softly on her bedroom window, and she would get out of bed to take me to class before she even got ready for work herself. I was always so, so grateful to her for doing this for me. And it wasn’t until this week that I realized that if Toni hadn’t done this, who knows? I may not have gone on to major in Spanish in college. I wouldn’t have studied abroad in Costa Rica. I wouldn’t have met and married Mauricio. And we wouldn’t have little V! So, thank you Auntie Tones for all those early morning rides! Valentina thanks you too!! And to use one of 3-year old Valentina’s favorite phrases, I miss you all the time, Tones. We are all going to miss you like crazy.