Remembering Toni

3-29pm

Today we got the news that our friend Toni passed away in her sleep at 6am this morning.  I first met Toni when she came to our Friday morning Bible study meeting in 2009. She breezed into my life like a breath of fresh air, lighting up a room with drama and energy and cracking us up with her enormous sense of humour. Even in her darkest times, she found a way to see a lighter side. She was an inspiration in tenacity in fighting her disease. She outlived all the doctor’s predictions of someone with liver cancer.

She loved communicating with Whatsapp and using all the emoticons to send love, express how she was feeling and just communicate in pictures…this was back in June…

My last communication with her was on 18th October. She was struggling to use her phone and send messages, but she managed to acknowledge my message with a flower.

One of our happiest memories of her was exactly 5 years ago yesterday, when she asked to be baptised. We gathered around her in prayer…

….and then Johanna baptised her in Riana’s swimming pool…

It was just so special. That was 6th November 2009.

Here she is with Riana on 27th August…

And with Melanie…

I sent a message to her cell phone this morning after I heard. No whatsapp in heaven, but a final note to rejoice that she is with Jesus…

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Toni has finished the course and kept the faith. She has not gone. She is just not here.

Bittersweet.

God bless you!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Gratitude Pics – 3rd March 2014 – Toni (in red on the left) enjoying Sushi at Salushis with our Friday morning group…

While we are somber today, I am sure Toni would like to be remembered by her great sense of humour…it’s hard not to smile when you see having a good belly laugh on that day…

She will be greatly missed.