Toby Gearries - Page

Toby has left such a lasting impact on my life. She was everything to me and my family. She is going to be missed so deeply. Until we meet again Toby. I love you always.

Toby was one of a kind. There will never be another like her. Dad always said "when God made her, He threw away the mold. " That is so true. She was unique and special in so many ways. When she was in kindergarten, the janitor's mother died and they were taking up a collection from all the students to have a Mass said for her. Until Toby's teacher called the next evening, Mom and Dad were unaware that Toby had taken $5 out of her piggy bank to donate to the fund. That was a lot of money back in the 50s. No doubt they were expecting 5, 10 or 25 cents. When Mom and Dad asked her about it, she said "they were only going to buy a Mass and I thought we could buy her the whole church." She had a soft spot for strays, not only animals but also people. When she was little, it was dogs and cats. As an adult, I remember one time she came across a sad young man sitting alongside the White River. She talked to him for awhile and found out he had nowhere to go. She invited him to come back to her place for awhile. She never knew a stranger. She saw the best in everyone and never discriminated. She had the gift of empathy. This continued throughout her entire life. She was a tenderhearted soul, kind, caring and honest to a fault. She knew how to get into mischief when she was a child. Mom and Dad would ask who did this or that and nine times out of ten, it was Toby. Infact, we kids said "Toby" so often that our parakeet started saying it. She was fun loving and knew how to enjoy life to the fullest. And oh what a sense of humor she had. There are so many instances of silly stunts I could relate. Many of her friends and family know of some of them. I remember she had an fork with a handle that extended 18 inches or so. She kept it in her purse, so when she went out to eat with someone, she'd get them to look in the other direction while she proceeded to remove food from their plate. Then there were her "Billy Bob" false teeth, or the "Suds Sisters" to name a few. She touched many lives in a positive way. She considered many of her customers family and treated them as such. She took them under her wing. She cooked, sewed, gardened, and painted for them in addition to cleaning their houses. She will be sorely missed by them all. In fact, we all are going to miss her. She's left a void in our lives that no one will be able to fill. I can't imagine living the rest of my life without her in it. I'll miss our phone calls, texts, visits to look forward to. I have such wonderful memories of our growing up years, then our adult years. We shared good times and bad, happy and sad. I don't recall ever arguing. She was a peacemaker, as am I. This all doesn't seem real. It's going to take some time for it to sink in. Thank God we are Christians. I find comfort in knowing she is with Christ and family and dear friends in Heaven, but that doesn't take away the sting of her loss. Toby, I miss you and will love you always. One day we will be reunited in our Heavenly home. Oh what a joyful day that willl be. Rest in peace, dear sister. Love, Vicki

Aunt Toby I love you and I’m going to miss you so much. I was a victim to the expandable fork Aunt Vicki mentioned at breakfast before Guys wedding, and the teeth were so funny, she would pop them in when you’d least expect it. Lol. The over nights as a kid in her floor to ceiling carpeted apartment. We used to love looking for different animals mixed in all the different textures and colors. Fun times at the pool at our apts, stopping by the Bait Shop with mom before we would go fishing. Riding the 4 wheelers with mom up to the Continental Divide was so beautiful, crazy windy and lots of fun. I’m so thankful I was able to spend time with you before everything happened. The chocolate pillow you wanted that mom made will be with you forever. I’m sure you and mom will be enjoying all the chocolate you can get in heaven. I love you so much and I’m going to miss everything about you. You are one of the funniest and best Aunts a kid could ask for. Love you forever, Heather

Toby was one of the most selfless and generous women I’ve ever known, and I will miss her deeply. Anytime I finished a new house project, she was one of the first people I couldn’t wait to show. At every family gathering, I always looked forward to seeing her and wondering what delicious dish she’d be bringing this time. She never missed a birthday party or a family event—she showed up for everything. She was so good to all of the kids, always making them feel loved and special. She was the kind of person who was always just a phone call away, ready to help, listen, or simply be there. Her love and presence have made a lasting impact on my entire family. We love you so much, Toby. You will be missed more than words can say. Until we meet again.

Lit a candle in memory of Toby Gearries - Page