Antoinette D. "Toni" McBride

Obituary
ANTOINETTE "TONI" D. MCBRIDE
ITHACA - Antoinette "Toni" D. McBride, 44, of Danby Road, Ithaca, NY, passed away on Wednesday, October 27, 2004, at her home, after a courageous battle with cancer, while surrounded by her life partner, Judy VanDermark; and beloved brother, R.J. McBride.Toni was born in Philadelphia, PA, on March 20, 1960, a daughter of Robert J. and Dolores Romano McBride. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Ithaca.Toni received her Master's Degree in sport's medicine from the University of Virginia and in 1985 was recruited by Bernie DePalma to join the Cornell University staff as a sport's trainer. In 1988 she was named the Director of the Cornell Wellness Program where she assisted in creating the pilot program. While serving as the Director, she had the good fortune of seeing her efforts become a reality that ultimately touched the lives of thousands of Cornell staff members. She especially loved the seniors of the Wellness Program and continued to miss them even after she left Cornell. She would frequently lecture around the country on the quality and importance of life and humor. In 1998, she successfully completed her nursing degree to become a licensed registered nurse. She also served on numerous committees during her tenure at Cornell and was a member of the Danby Volunteer Fire Department.A woman of many dreams and aspirations, Toni always wanted to own her own store. She made that dream a reality when she left Cornell University and established the Danby General Store. The involvement with and devotion to the Danby community by both Toni and Judy touched the lives of many individuals.Toni is survived by her life partner, Judy VanDermark, of Ithaca and her family, Chad (Shannon) VanDermark of W. Ellis, WI. She is also survived by her father and stepmother, Robert J. and Dorothy McBride of Gibbsboro, NJ; her sisters, Mary Linda (Nevin Kessler) McBride of S. Windsor, CT, and Kathy McBride of W. Hollywood, CA; a brother, Robert J. "R.J." (Cathy Ellis) McBride, Jr. of Rock, KS; her nephews, Joseph and Lucas of S. Windsor, CT; an aunt, Peggy McTamany of Baltimore, MD; and her beloved 19-year old toy poodle, Susie.Her mother and best friend, Dolores Romano McBride predeceased her, in 1995.Although this part of Toni's journey through life has ended, a new one, free of pain, has begun. Toni has left this world with no regrets and although she will be dearly missed, her love and spirit for life will continue to be with all of us in a different way.It is very important that during the last three and a half years that you all know that many days of survival would have been much more difficult without your smiles, phone calls, kind words, generosity and continued love. And, of course, those great visits to the Danby General Store that always meant the world to Toni and Judy.It is difficult to personally thank everyone, but for those of you who stood by us during this most difficult time, we want you to know that you will never be forgotten. Thank you to Dr. Abdul-Ghaffar Musa and Staff; Meghan Ayers; Saint Joseph's Oncology Nurses on Floor 4/7 (including Wendy and Sadie); Dr. Kara Kort; Mary Ahl; Mae Beatty; Al and Annie Becker; Sue Beeners; Gabe Boscano; Peggy Brewer; Robin Burnett; Dick and Eleanor Carr; Denice Cassaro; Amy Cusimano; Danby American Legion Post #221 Ladies Auxiliary; Patti Darsie; the Danby community; Rev. Rebecca and Bud Dolch; Jackie Duff; Family Farm of Spencer; Beth Carlson Ganem; Barbara Ganzel; Meg Garvey; Joanie Groome; Joann Gruttadaurio; Dr. Jennifer Gunn; Kay Hatch and Family; our very special friends at Hill Drug/Northside Pharmacy; Judy Hoffman; the Staff at Hospicare; Gay Huddle; Dr. Patti Jacobson; Valerie Sellers Kantrowitz; Gisela Konrad; the congregation of St. Paul's United Methodist Church; Steve Lawrence and girls; Becky McLlory; Constance and Ted Merritt; Jonathon and Jive Meyerhoff; Bob Minor; Cheryl Monroe and Family; Rev. Ernest and Joan Payton; Brenda Quick; Lou Reckdenwald and Family; Bruce Rice; Peter and Laura Rice; Joyce Rendano and The Boarding Barn Staff; Lori Robertson; Barbara Robinson; Joey Rorick; The Salino Family; Susan Savishinsky; Sczepanski Family (especially "Connie Girl"); Joel Seasonwein; Mabel and Skip Seeley; John and Margaret Shepard; Kathy Sindoni; Sally Sligar; Sue Spicer; Dr. Nancy Stewart; Stacey Smith; Amy Staples; Naomi Strickhartz; Michael Tilton and family; Jolynn Urbowicz; John Williams and "The Rut Hut"; the Youth "Country Scoop" Employees; and Diane Zimmer. You truly are our extended family!A celebration of Toni's life will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2004, at 4 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church with her pastor, Reverend Rebecca Dolch officiating. Burial will be private at a later date. Those who wish to remember Toni may make memorial donations to Hospicare, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, or the SPCA of Tompkins County, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Arrangements have been entrusted Kevin Sharp of the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY.