Barbara J. Toman

Barbara Jean (Anderson) Toman, age 77. Born on May 27, 1939, the 1st child of Esther Naomi (Hertz) and James Ayers Anderson in Hamilton, Ohio. Married to Tom Toman, her high school sweetheart on March 25, 1961, a union of souls of nearly 56 years. Barb died at home on March 13, 2017.

Barb and Tom have two children, Amy Toman (husband Dan Elliott) and Tom II (wife Patty), three grandchildren, Gideon (wife Stephanie) and Caleb Toman and Kenzie Elliott and one greatgrandchild, Abbigail Toman.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Linda Kerby, and her brother, James Anderson.

Barb was first a mother, then an educator. She graduated from Hamilton High School, Miami University with a degree in Elementary Education, and Xavier University with a Master's in Education. Her love of teaching started at the age of 12, working in her mother's daycare center. At 20, after 2 years at Miami, she was employed as a 2nd grade teacher in the Hamilton City School System while continuing her education. She interrupted her career to raise her family but resumed it as a kindergarten teacher, first at a private school, then with the Fairfield City School System, when they initiated their kindergarten program. She taught in the classroom with Fairfield for 20+ years before moving on to become director of an experimental preschool program for the school system. After retirement, she continued her career with Head Start, Westover Preschool, and as a Child Development Associate Council Representative testing candidates for their certification program.

Barb's love of children was ever present in her teaching. Her philosophy was to teach the process of thinking, learning, and creating rather than memorization by repetition.

Barb was also passionate about her community and served on the Board of Directors as the President of the Hamilton YWCA. Her outstanding dedication was acknowledged when she was awarded the 2003 "Woman of the Year".

Barb resumed her teaching career serving as an instructor at the East Butler YMCA in the Arthritis Aquatics program. Additionally, she was a member of the YaYa's swim group with many of her friends.

Barb was a dedicated Tennis Tournament Volunteer at the Western & Southern Cincinnati Open for 31 years where she started as a ticket taker and ended as the chairperson of the Access Scanning Committee coordinating 140+ volunteers at all the entrances.

During their retirement, Barb and Tom enjoyed traveling. They partook in many adventures, several times with friends and family, through the Caribbean Sea, Australia, Las Vegas, and the rivers of Europe. As tennis aficionados, they enjoyed visiting the four major tennis tournaments in England, France, Australia, and the US.

A Service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 212 S. Front Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011 on Tuesday, March 21 at 6 pm. Visitation will begin at 4 pm. Barb was a person of great love for others and in turn was loved by many. At Zion Lutheran, assisted by family and many church friends, she led their community meals program feeding Hamilton's homeless. In honor of her giving spirit, in lieu of sending flowers, the family would appreciate if contributions were sent to the Zion Lutheran Community Meal Fund to continue Barb's work.