Dr. Toni Todd

Dr. Toni Todd Toni was born on May 4, 1920, in Detroit, MI and passed away peacefully in Tucson on January 3, 2015. A graduate of the music program at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, she excelled at oboe, clarinet and saxophone. She and her best friend, the late Dr. Marjorie Ross, toured with their jazz band, The Four Ladies of Note. They later graduated together from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN and became the first two women to practice optometry in the state of Michigan. Toni practiced optometry in Niles, MI for 35 years. She was married to the late Richard C. Mathews from 1953-1985. She moved to Tucson in 1988, and for several years was a resident of Broadway Proper Retirement Community, where she enjoyed the late Stu Lancaster's "World of Ideas" class. Toni was an expert seamstress and needlepoint artist with an exquisite eye for color. She designed and created many intricate pieces of needlework. She enjoyed helping children learn to read and exploring her Russian and Norwegian heritage. She was a lifelong lover of music and champion of equal rights for all people. She cherished many animal friends over the years. She could fix almost anything. Toni was much loved and will be missed by her daughter, Kim Mathews; granddaughters, Signe Mathews and Kelsi De Bord (Joseph) and great-granddaughters, Penelope and Phoebe. In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held. Donations may be made to the Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter in Tucson.