Obituary for Toni Haddrall
Toni was born on April 6, 1935 to Alan and Kewpie (Marion Laura Griffiths) Cox in Toronto, ON. She grew up on Centre Island with her siblings Wendi (Hanger), Penelope (Bannock) and D’Angelo Cox. She loved her family dearly and carried the role of big sister and surrogate mother to her little brother D’Angelo with love and affection.
She married the love of her life, Clifford Ernest Haddrall (predeceased), at the young age of 19. Cliff was drawn to her beauty, zest and charming nature. After a six month courtship they were married. It was September 25, 1954 when Toni and Cliff pledged their love and commitment to each other. They married on Toronto Island at St. Andrews Church and lived on Wards Island until 1972.
Soon after Toni and Cliff married they had children, Victor Alan, Terrilee and Shelley. In 1972, Cliff and Toni moved to the Beaches. It would not be an uncommon sight to see Toni riding her bike through the neighbourhood, running on the boardwalk, or playing rounds of tennis at the Kew Gardens Tennis Club.
Toni was an avid skier, downhill and cross country. She had a passion for downhill skiing. She and the family would spend March Break at the Ellicottville Ski Club. Many fond memories were made during March Break with the Haddrall and Cox families. Toni loved and adored her siblings and remained close. Toni loved her family and this was very important to her.
After becoming empty nesters Toni and Cliff moved from the Beaches to Collingwood. It didn’t take long for Toni to plant her feet in Collingwood. She soon became a member at Monterra Tennis Club where you would find her on the court for a friendly tennis match. Toni had a passion for singing and was remarkably talented in barbershop harmony, her forte, bass. She joined Harmony North Chorus (Sweet Adeline’s International). She valued her friendships and camaraderie with her Harmony North gals and she especially enjoyed the annual spring competitions in Syracuse. If there is such a thing as heaven and angels, then Toni is singing bass in barbershop harmony in heaven.
Along with being a sports enthusiast, music lover, fashion diva, seamstress, artist, a lover of wine and a good martini, Toni was a gamer. It didn’t matter the game; rummikub, cribbage, euchre, or gin rummy, if any of her grandchildren asked her “Gram would you like to play a game?” she would never turn them down.
One may describe Toni as having a competitive spirit. She certainly demonstrated this throughout her life even more so during her last decade. In 2013, Toni had a lower leg amputation but this did not discourage her from living an active lifestyle as she adapted, accepted and moved on with determination. She soon became a member at the YMCA and became actively involved attending classes and making new friendships. She spent many happy hours with her “Y” family.
Toni immediately lit up any room she entered with style and grace and made an impact on so many people. She loved her friends and family, and filled her home with warmth and kindness.
Toni passed away Monday, November 7, under the compassionate care of devoted Collingwood health care professionals. We are very grateful for their tender care.
She will be deeply missed and forever loved by her children Victor, Terrilee (Glen), Shelley (Rick), grandchildren Jennifer, Heather, Keirsten, Dustyn, Danielle and Adam, along with her siblings and many nieces and nephews of the Cox and Haddrall families.
Living an active and healthy lifestyle was essential to Toni and she demonstrated this throughout her life. In lieu of flowers and Toni’s wishes donations in her memory may be made to the Collingwood YMCA (YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka). YMCA Donations
A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
She married the love of her life, Clifford Ernest Haddrall (predeceased), at the young age of 19. Cliff was drawn to her beauty, zest and charming nature. After a six month courtship they were married. It was September 25, 1954 when Toni and Cliff pledged their love and commitment to each other. They married on Toronto Island at St. Andrews Church and lived on Wards Island until 1972.
Soon after Toni and Cliff married they had children, Victor Alan, Terrilee and Shelley. In 1972, Cliff and Toni moved to the Beaches. It would not be an uncommon sight to see Toni riding her bike through the neighbourhood, running on the boardwalk, or playing rounds of tennis at the Kew Gardens Tennis Club.
Toni was an avid skier, downhill and cross country. She had a passion for downhill skiing. She and the family would spend March Break at the Ellicottville Ski Club. Many fond memories were made during March Break with the Haddrall and Cox families. Toni loved and adored her siblings and remained close. Toni loved her family and this was very important to her.
After becoming empty nesters Toni and Cliff moved from the Beaches to Collingwood. It didn’t take long for Toni to plant her feet in Collingwood. She soon became a member at Monterra Tennis Club where you would find her on the court for a friendly tennis match. Toni had a passion for singing and was remarkably talented in barbershop harmony, her forte, bass. She joined Harmony North Chorus (Sweet Adeline’s International). She valued her friendships and camaraderie with her Harmony North gals and she especially enjoyed the annual spring competitions in Syracuse. If there is such a thing as heaven and angels, then Toni is singing bass in barbershop harmony in heaven.
Along with being a sports enthusiast, music lover, fashion diva, seamstress, artist, a lover of wine and a good martini, Toni was a gamer. It didn’t matter the game; rummikub, cribbage, euchre, or gin rummy, if any of her grandchildren asked her “Gram would you like to play a game?” she would never turn them down.
One may describe Toni as having a competitive spirit. She certainly demonstrated this throughout her life even more so during her last decade. In 2013, Toni had a lower leg amputation but this did not discourage her from living an active lifestyle as she adapted, accepted and moved on with determination. She soon became a member at the YMCA and became actively involved attending classes and making new friendships. She spent many happy hours with her “Y” family.
Toni immediately lit up any room she entered with style and grace and made an impact on so many people. She loved her friends and family, and filled her home with warmth and kindness.
Toni passed away Monday, November 7, under the compassionate care of devoted Collingwood health care professionals. We are very grateful for their tender care.
She will be deeply missed and forever loved by her children Victor, Terrilee (Glen), Shelley (Rick), grandchildren Jennifer, Heather, Keirsten, Dustyn, Danielle and Adam, along with her siblings and many nieces and nephews of the Cox and Haddrall families.
Living an active and healthy lifestyle was essential to Toni and she demonstrated this throughout her life. In lieu of flowers and Toni’s wishes donations in her memory may be made to the Collingwood YMCA (YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka). YMCA Donations
A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.