Toni Russell

Happy birthday sister....I miss you!!

Mrs. Russell. Ahh who am I kidding. Mom. I am thinking of you each and everyday. And I wish you were here to help us all create all those amazing memories. I know we can all get through it, but I know that as the year mark comes up tomorrow I just wish you to be here. I know you are watching over me and I hope I am making you proud. Here is to you tomorrow and everyday.
Miss you and love you.
Love, Whit

Thursday will be a year since you left us sister and every day I miss you more...we will all celebrate your life in our own way. Love you "Toe"

Dear Merin, Casey, Ryan and Steve,

I know you know who I am, but what you don't know is how much your mother and wife played such an important part in my life. When I met your Aunt Lynn and Toni, I was in the 6th grade. Toni played an important role in my growing and lesson-learning years. I will always remember her best for always sharing so unselfishly her school clothes, always with a smile and the helpfulness of a big sister. She helped me learn this lesson by her guidance...

I will never forget all the fun times we had at Lair of the Bear with all the kids. Toni had such a great spirit and was always so positive and energetic, even in the dust and the dirt of the Lair. What a beautiful woman and a great mom.
My love to all the Russell family.

I am so very sorry to hear of Toni's passing. I have such fond memories of her from as far back as elementary school when Merin and I used to play together. Her smile and loving ways always made an impression on me. She was a beautiful woman inside and out.
My prayers are with you all.

Toni and I met when our girls, Casey and Mara, were in kindergarten at Glorietta. I was new to Orinda and a tad apprehensive about the 'social scene'...talk about meeting the most incredible person at the most opportune time!! Toni generously shared her world with me. She was friends with people from all walks of life.

Toni's laugh was heartfelt, pure, and contagious. Toni's love was nurturing, supportive, genuine. Toni was Toni!!! She was comfortable in her own skin--so...

I have wonderful memories of Toni and all the fun times at Scenic Drive and Troop 299 events. From a power outage during a viewing of the then frightening film "Arachnophobia," to dress-up and dancing at sleepovers and Girl Scout Jamborees, I will always remember the good times Toni made possible.

Toni was kind, warm spirited and welcoming. She always brought a smile to my face and made me feel special.

I went from being Toni's ice cream man 23 years ago to a friend of the entire family. Driving my three-wheel Cushman down their long driveway was always fun. I enjoyed seeing the smiles of Toni, Merin and Casey as they heard the familiar tune, "The Entertainer," announcing that ice cream was about to be delivered. Of course Ryan was there as well, but he was in Toni's belly at the time.

Toni, you will be missed by many.

Love,

Lance