Antoinette ‘Toni’ Akanewich, of Brewster, NY, died at home on February 8, 2021.
Born on March 19, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY she is the daughter of the late John and Helen (Winiecki) Murawski.
On July 4, 1964 Toni married the love of her life Julius Akanewich at St. Dominic church in Bronx NY. Together they moved to Ridgewood Queens, then to Woodhaven Queens, and finally, to Brewster in 1993.
Initially, Toni stayed home, full time, to raise her children and care for her family. She was active in her parish St. Elizabeth’s as an RCIA leader, choir member and CCD teacher. Later she worked in the cafeteria of JFK Elementary School in Brewster NY, then, for ten years, as a clerk for the Village of Brewster Building Department. She was also employed part-time for St. Lawrence O’Toole Church.
Toni was outgoing, loving, and giving. She was full of humor and joy and brought those gifts to everyone she encountered. She brought life and light to everywhere she was and everything she did. Her faith was paramount in her life and she served with a full heart. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court Bernardine #185, and the San Damiano order of Secular Franciscans. She was a Sacristan at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, and an active part of many ministries there, most notably, a Eucharistic Minister, a Stephen’s Ministry Minister, and a regular adorer of the Blessed Sacrament. She spent much time in prayer, daily offering those prayers for everyone that asked and anyone she knew needed them, including the souls in Purgatory.
Toni is survived by her loving husband Julius, her daughters, Julie (John) Noce of Brewster, NY and Joann (Conor) McCormack of Fairfax Station, VA; her son Anthony of Brewster, NY and her grandchildren; Lauren, Rebecca, and Andrew Noce, all of Brewster, NY, Johnny (Ginny) Noce of North Canton, OH, and Madeleine McCormack of Fairfax Station, VA. Her first great-grandchild will be born this week. She is the beloved sister of Mary Augustini of Warwick, NY and the late John Murawski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, Brewster, NY, followed by interment at St. Lawrence O’Toole Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Friday February 12, 2021 at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster, NY from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm. Condolences for the family may be left at www.beecherfuneralhome.com.
Memorial donations in Antoinette’s name may be made to St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, 31 Prospect Street, Brewster, NY 10509 or at www.stlawrenceotoole.org.