Where do I start?!  Toni was Annette or Aunt Nettie to family, but "Toni Hot Wheels" to me and others who came to know and love her at work at Social Security TeleService Center in Jersey City.  If there was one thing she wasn't, it was quiet, shy and reserved!  Tough as nails and tender as a loving mother-sister-bff!  This free-spirited, Gosh Darned Independent was so full of life, gusto and high spirit and strong opinions--no PC in her vocabulary!  Toni was quick witted, funny--just so lovable in the way she loved, interacted with and deeply cared for family and friends--and let you know it if you drove her nuts!  She lived life to the fullest and no obstacle could deter her courage and zest for life.  (I won't mention her mishap with Safe Driving that landed her in the Star Ledger, or was it the Jersey Journal?)  I still have that article and photo!  The week I spent with her in her place on Duncan Ave. after her hospitalization--I was scared to death that I wouldn't be up to the loving task and responsibility of making sure she could manage on her own without assistance.  We did have a bed to chair transfer cliff hanger--it worked out.   No worries.  God is good--and we had more fun, laughs--and the crisis phone calls she was receiving while trying to rest and recuperate:  "Somebody or other tried to commit "sewer pipes" again!", she would tell me in exasperation.  Yup, I have said sewer pipes to this day!  Our long ago supervisor friend, Mike P and I shared Toni stories for an hour and a half on the phone last eve.  Toni, Mike and I had email going with all things politics over the years.  She was pithy, quick to quash any "kiss me, carry me" pity party stuff--NOT Toni!  I prayed for rain the days her electric w/c was on the fritz.  I had to push her on lunch breaks, out into Jersey City killer traffic--scared the sh-t outta me!!!   She was a trusting soul--I'm visually impaired!  My overabundant yarn and hook stash and pattern books are all Toni's fault.  She taught me to crochet years ago on breaks at work--and I was so hooked, I had to have carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist.   (I tell people that "it's NOT what you think!"--my scar!)  I learned to crochet her way and still do it her way, slow and deliberate; and I'm a perfectionist with my projects.  I still have the stained glass afghan she walked--er, talked and showed me through.   I have photos of her from work and the fun visit I had with her and her family in Oceanport years ago.  (Gee, her nephew, Peter isn't "Baby Petey" anymore!)  We had a surprise SSA reunion in Ocean Grove on Choir Fest weekend with co-workers Jeff, Antoinette--another Toni, "our'" Toni and Tom. Her dear Mom, "Lena" would warn, "There's a "tunderstorm" coming.   Her German accent was delightful.  I still say "Tunder" in her memory.  My Mother used to call me, "Marfie" which I HATED!  You guessed it, I became "Marf" to Toni, and she's the only one who could ever get away with it!  Dear friend, my Toni, I miss you so.  I'll never pick up a crochet hook without saying a prayer for you.  You were and are a treasured part of my life.  Now you can dance with the angels.  Remember me when you enter Paradise.  Love and prayers to all, "Marf" Terry