Toni Garrett

Wurtsboro Hills, NY

Toni Garrett, a longtime resident of Wurtsboro Hills, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on September 2, 2008. She was born in Passaic, NJ.

The family moved to Wurtsboro Hills in the early 1950's. She attended school in Wurtsboro; Monticello High School; University of Mexico and earned a Bachelor's degree at SUNY New Paltz, NY.

Toni was a member of the Wurtsboro Art Alliance; a member of the Community Church of Wurtsboro; a charter member of the Mamakating Historical Society and a Board Member of the Basha Kill Area Association. Recently the BKAA presented her with the prestigious Elizabeth Polluck Great Blue Heron Award for her outstanding contributions, only the third person so honored in the history of the organization.

As a committed environmentalist Toni spearheaded the successful grassroots movement to prevent Rockland County trash from being added to the Mamakating Landfill. This prevented the contamination of the waterways and our surrounding eco-system.

Toni's career choices reflected her love of people and nature. She and one other person formed the Farm Worker's Legal Services to protect migrant worker rights including creating a bilingual reference booklet alerting workers to the dangers of pesticides commonly used on the crops. As the Assistant Director of the Sullivan County Advocate Program she worked with families of troubled youth. Most recently, Toni worked at the Public Library in Wurtsboro which suited her love of books and poetry.

Area residents are familiar with the artistry of Toni's photography, which was shown at various venues in Sullivan and Orange Counties as well as in New York City. Toni was involved in the creation of the BKAA Field Guide; wrote many articles and composed poetry for the BKAA Guardian Newsletter. Toni's love of music ranged from Mozart to Willie Nelson. Her enthusiasm for Dale Earnhardt #3 and NASCAR round out this complex and wonderful person who will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Toni is survived by her loving daughter, Liana Garrett Street; son-in-law, Chad; grandson, Caleb of Glen Haven, CO; her "other" daughter, Melissa Durovich of Denver, CO; her sister, Beatrice Garrett of Las Cruces, NM. Also surviving are several cousins, two nephews, one aunt, many good friends and her crazy little cat, Little Bear.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to: BKAA, PO Box 1121, Wurtsboro, NY 12790.

A Celebration of Life with family and friends will be held at Toni's home in Wurtsboro Hills on Thursday evening, September 4, at 6:30 p.m. The Rev. Robert Meyer will officiate. Private cremation. Please call Cherie for further info at 845-888-4937.

Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro; www.kennyfuneralhome.com or 845-888-2731.