Beautiful “Toni” to all that knew her and were blessed by her love, departed for heaven peacefully in her sleep on June 23rd, 2015 of a massive stroke.
Born January 8, 1947 in Seattle, WA to Erich Last and Martha (Schwenk) Last, Toni had 2 older sisters, and 3 older half-siblings, enjoying life as the baby in a large German family.
Choosing to stay in beautiful Washington state, Toni attended Central Washington State College, where she performed as a much sought after soprano soloist. She received her Bachelors of Liberal Arts in Education, with a fifth year certificate in 1970. During her college years, she met and fell madly in love with another musician, Thomas “Tom” Reich.
Toni and Tom tied the knot on June 20th, 1969, and recently celebrated their 46th Wedding Anniversary. They have three beautiful children, 4 grandchildren and 2 grand-doggies.
During her years in the employment force, Toni taught young minds to love learning in various Elementary Schools, taught Collegiate Level ESL, and was an Office Administrator. After retiring from the education field, she worked as a regional field manager for NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress). Toni was a powerhouse and energetic colleague, who was always willing to go the extra mile with a helping hand, sympathetic ear and quick laugh.
Lovingly dubbed “Mimi Toni” by her grandchildren, and notorious for wearing brightly colored or sequined hats and visors, she enjoyed playing and spending time with her precious children, grandchildren and grand-doggies whenever she could. Reading a good book, praising the Lord, praying for people, walking the beach and crunching seashells, traveling, making bubbles, sitting in the sunshine with a cup of coffee, chatting with family and friends, having new ‘adventures’, and playing golf with her sweetheart were all what made Toni’s heart sing.
What made Toni so special to everyone around her was her enormous servant’s heart and attitude of Jesus. Loving Jesus with all her soul meant that Toni would immediately be available to help someone, make people feel welcome and loved, and wrap them in comfort. Truly a handmaiden for the Lord by pouring out God’s love on everyone whenever they needed help, which was always accompanied with the grandest of smiles and welcoming hugs. Toni was constantly giving to others, and supported a variety of different charities and individuals, through either financial, material, or time related means. She was always giving gifts.
Some of Toni's lifetime achievements were performing and recording music with her two older sisters when they were young children, being crowned Miss Ellensburg in 1966 and competing in Miss Washington. But what we consider more important achievements are in the changed lives and hearts of those she touched with her service, love and care.
Words can’t describe our sweet, little Toni. Small in stature, giant in spirit. Constantly giving, constantly inspiring, and constantly helping those around her whether she knew it or not, just by being who she was.
Mimi Toni had the uncanny knack of finding four leaf clovers wherever she went. Literally everywhere. Sometimes multiple clovers at one time. "Oh look", she would say, while bending down to the ground. And we knew she had found another four leaf clover. Those four leaf clovers were pressed with her loving fingers in-between pages of many books and the Bible, forever reminding us just how lucky and blessed we really were to have known her.
Survived by her cherished husband, Tom Reich, in Redmond, WA; treasured children, daughter Michelle Reich Myre (Oscar) of Renton, WA, son Erich Reich (Pam), of Sammamish, WA, son Paul Reich (Aimee), of Seattle, WA; and beloved grandchildren Chloe Myre, Cora Myre, Oscar Myre V, and Bailey Reich. Also survived by sister Liesa Banchero (Ken), half-sister Martha (Rameau) Collman, half-brother Fred Rameau, and countless other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins from around the world.
She met up in heaven with her mom and dad, second mom/aunt Frida (Schwenk) Last, sister Erika “Ricky” (Last) Stewart, and half brother Charles Rameau.
A Celebration of Life service, full of music, joy and tears, will be held on Sunday, July 19th@ 2pm, at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, in Bellevue WA. Family and friends are welcome to wear a brightly colored, sequined or “Toni hat” or visor in her memory. Memorial contributions to “Food Lifeline” or any of your favorite shelter or mission charities in Toni’s name would tickle her fancy for sure.
To all of us left this side of heaven, she’s saying to us now: Come Good Home.