Joan A. Toner

Beloved wife of Brigadier General Richard J. Toner, USAF (Ret), passed away on June 11, 2008 in Colorado Springs, CO, from complications of diabetes and heart disease. Joan was born in Somerville, MA, on February 8, 1935, the daughter of the late Edward N. and Lilliane (Noble) Nobis. She attended public schools in Medford and then graduated from Boston College, a member of the first coed class. She taught elementary education for one year in Medford, and then began a 30 year odyssey of world travels as an Air Force wife. During their career, the Toners lived in six countries in Europe and Asia as well as 12 states within the U.S. She continued her teaching career intermittently in Florida, France, Kansas, Ohio and Maryland. In later years, Joan turned her talents and effort to volunteer services at each of the bases where they were assigned. She was an active member of the Officers' Wives Clubs, Family Services, and served in many other programs in the off-base communities where they lived, including childhood and adult literacy programs. In retirement, she continued as a volunteer English teacher to new-comers to the United States. After her husband retired from military service, the couple purchased and operated a country inn in Lenox, MA, owning the business until 1999 when they retired and moved to Colorado Springs. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her grace, courage and integrity along with a unique combination of incredible mental and moral strength and remarkable gentleness. She was the loving and devoted mother of three children: Scott Toner of Stafford, VA, Christine Moody and her husband Michael of Merritt Island, FL, and Daniel Toner and his wife Anne of Southampton, England. She also leaves two grandchildren, Daniel and Colleen Moody. She was cremated and inurned at the U.S. Air Force Academy cemetery on June 18, 2008. A memorial service will be celebrated in her honor at the base chapel on Hanscom AFB at 11:30 am on September 12, 2008 followed by a reception at the Officer's Club. Because of security conditions, prior access to Hanscom is required. This may be obtained by calling Technical Sergeant Shon Teicheira (teh-sher-rah) at 781-377-2635 or by email at shon.teicheira@hanscom.af.mil. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.