Joan Tonge Obituary

TONGE, JOAN
Oct 2, 1938-Dec 27, 2002 Age 64 of Modesto, died suddenly on Friday evening, December 27, 2002 at the family's vacation home at Lahonton in Truckee, CA. Mrs. Tonge, a native of New York, had lived in Modesto since 1964. She was the wife of Delmar Tonge, MD, who is a Modesto physician. Mrs. Tonge was an active leader in numerous local philanthropic causes, including Christian education and her Church. Mrs. Tonge, a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, served as lay leader in Adventist Church governance. She was a member of the local, state, regional, national and international governing bodies of the Church. Ms. Tonge always had a passion for young people, taking a personal interest in their success. For many years she served as a champion of Christian educaton at Modesto Adventist Academy. Mrs. Tonge was serving as Chair of the Modesto Adventist Academy Board and Stanislaus County Grand Jury. Mrs. Tonge was known for being equally at ease chairing board meetings of prestigious national organizations as well as she was comfortable befriending the most vulnerable kids and teenagers that needed comfort and help. Mrs. Tonge is survived by her husband Delmar; daughters Kathy and Kristi; sisters-in-law Genevieve Tonge and Bertha Tonge; as well as four grandchildren, Tyler, Ian, Julie, and Jarred. A memorial service will be held on January 4 at 3:00 PM at the Modesto Central Seventh Day Adventist Church, located on the corner of 17th and H Streets. Remembrances may be made to the Modesto Adventist Academy Foundation or the Gallo Performing Arts Center.

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Published by The Sacramento Bee on Dec. 31, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan Tonge

10 Entries

Edna Mason

January 13, 2003

Dear Delmar, What a shock to us and I know to you. We did not lear about it or Memorial service til long after and so we are sorry we did not attend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God sustain you and comfort you. we humans aren't too good at relieving pain of any sort, but God can help when no one else can. our love and sympathy, Don and Edna Mason

Marilyn Rapinchuk

January 13, 2003

So sorry to hear of Joan's passing. She was a great lady.

Linda & Jamie Nichols

January 3, 2003

Our prayers are with you. She was a

Most enjoyable person. Always smiling and laughing. We shall also miss her.

Robert & Doreen Pritchard

January 2, 2003

Dr. Tonge, Kathy, Kristi and Family. The love, kindness and generosity that your wife and mother showed to our children and the children of so many others will never be forgotten. She made an indelible imprint on the lives of Renee and Rick and so many others. We have all been blessed by her presence.

Randy Isaac

January 1, 2003

Delmar,Kathy,Kristi and family.

As you get older you sometimes feel as if the friends and family you love will live forever.

The news of this loss is a very sad one. Joan was always a happy and positive person to me and I will miss her very much.

I feel very lucky to have known her.

Randy.

Richard Pritchard

January 1, 2003

Dr. Tonge and family,

Words can't describe how wonderful and inspirational Joan has been to me for all the years growing up. I am truly sad with the news of her passing. Thank you so much for comming to my wedding in November. It was so nice to share my love with my friends and family. Seeing you and Joan there made my day very special and I can't wait till we will all be together again! -"Ricky"

Dane and Eva-Mari Thomas

January 1, 2003

Del, Kathy and Kristi,

Joan made a positive difference in our lives for many years and in many ways. From being a class mother on the MAES fifth-grade outing to San Luis Reservoir in 1975 to helping me get financial aid from the Archie Tonge Foundation for my college education in the late 1980's to letting me use the cabin in Strawberry to attend a seminar at Dodge and on to coordinating our wedding at Modesto Central SDA Church 12 years and 30 days ago. Eva-Mari and I remember her well, we are very saddened by her passing, and we extend our condolences across an ocean and continent to you.

Enough formality – Kathy and Kristi, your mother was an inspirational example of class, poise and service. She sure set the bar high, and did all that she could to help us clear it, no matter where we were coming from. Times spent with you and your family were some of the best of our school years. Be assured that your sadness is shared by many.

Dane

Mary West-Hunt

December 31, 2002

DELMAR,

OUR CLASS OF '49 NEVER THOUGHT THESE THINGS COULD HAPPEN TO OUR FAMILIES IN THAT FAR OFF FUTURE OF "NOW!"

YOU KNOW THAT IF WE COULD ALL BE TOGETHER---BOB, BILL, MEL, JUNIOR, MARNA, DOT, JOY, NANCY, SHIRLEY, BEVERLY,...

WE WOULD HOLD YOU IN OUR ARMS AS WE DO IN OUR HEARTS AT THIS TIME.

SINCERELY REACHING OUT WITH CARING THOUGHTS AND SWEET PRAYERS. JOANIE HAD SO MUCH LOVE AND WIT AND PERSONALITY THAT IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE,

LOVE FROM MARY AND WALTER IN TURLOCK

Sharon & Mona Arro

December 31, 2002

Dear Delmar and Family:

Our prayers are with you during this time of loss. Joan's friends at her computer class send their prayers also-they will miss her kind assistance in class. We will all miss her enthusiasm and zest for life. God Bless you Sharon & Mona

Nancy Bowes

December 31, 2002

Dear Del, Kathy and Kristi,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love, Nanc

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