Toni’s father Joseph Marshall Dubray emigrated to the US from France in 1903. He was a career educator, founding St. Anthony’s Business College in Fredericksburg in 1910 and later was the first head of the business school at St. Edwards University in Austin. Toni’s mother, Agnes Nester descended from early settlers in central Texas. Both of Toni’s parents were deceased before she was age 9.
Moving as a teen to the Houston Heights, Miss Dubray became a student of the piano under Mozart Hammond, and graduated from the Houston Conservatory of Music. In 1947, she married Russell G. Goodnight of Frankfurt, Indiana. Theirs was a long and happy marriage of 58 years ending on his passing in 2005. Together, they resided in Houston and raised six children. Active with her children’s education, she also played organ at St. Augustine’s and then at St. Francis de Sales Catholic parishes. In 1981, the Goodnight family moved to Austin Texas where, following in her father’s footsteps, she played the organ at St. Mary’s Cathedral for a decade and volunteered for many years at Seton Hospital Northwest.
Mrs. Goodnight is survived by her brother, Joseph Marshal Dubray of Hondo TX; by three sons Gerald Thomas Goodnight and spouse Lynn Goodnight of Pasadena, CA; Gregg and spouse Nancy Goodnight of Pearland TX; and David and spouse Diane Goodnight of Lexington KY. Her three daughters: Lou Anne and spouse Dale Gilmore of Austin TX; Dr. Ellen Boyd of Houston TX; and Laurie and spouse Bill Yamout of Austin TX. She took great joy in her 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, her “breakfast club” and friends.
Graced with a positive outlook, she made her last home for 5 years at Brookdale Clear Lake—playing piano and crafting talent shows for a loving community. As one granddaughter observes: Toni “made it her mission to spread joy to every person she encountered.
She was an incredible mother, grandmother, musician, friend, and woman of faith.”
A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., July 17, 2019 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Austin Texas. Internment follows at Cook-Walden/Memorial Hill Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas 78660.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Mary’s Music Ministry.
