Judith B. "Becky" Toland

MIDDLETOWN – Judith B. "Becky" Toland of Vero Beach, FL and Middletown, RI died Friday, May 22, 2015 at her adored home on Tuckerman Avenue. Close friends may be relieved to hear she remained feisty until the near-end and died at peace in the presence of family. She was 80 years old.
Born May 4, 1935 in Richmond, VA, she was raised in West Hartford, CT, by her parents Gladys G. and Michael C. Beckanstin. She graduated from Dana Hall School, then Wheaton College with a degree in classics. In 1957, she met her future husband of 57 years, Asheton C. "Woo" Toland, on a student trip to Europe.
Infused with refreshing intellect, irreverent sense of humor, and independent spirit, Becky knew her mind and spoke it freely. She was fiercely loyal to her family and friends and gave generously of her time and resources to liberal causes dear to her heart.
Becky leaves her beloved family: husband Woo and their children and spouses, Lisa and Peter Rowley, Priscilla Jansen, Max and Donna Toland, Sam Toland and Samantha Lako, and Jessie and Dennis Mock; three grandchildren, Emma Jansen and Charlie and Sophie Mock; and dozens of nieces, nephews, their spouses, children, and grandchildren.
Becky's family thanks her doctor, Harold Sanders, and hospice nurses, particularly Carolyn Bertsch, for their outstanding care and guidance.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Becky's memory may be made to Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to Wheaton College, 26 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766, Attn: Wheaton Fund.
A private burial will be followed by a memorial service for friends and family in late July, with date and time to be determined later.
Arrangements are by the O'Neill-Hayes Funeral Home. For more information and online condolences, please visit www.oneillhayes.com

This obituary was originally published in The Newport Daily News (Newport, RI).