Antoinette Marie Rypkema

Antoinette Marie Rypkema, lovingly known as Toni, was born on May 3rd, 1961 to Ernst and Sally Born. On March 27, 2024 she died at the age of 62. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and enjoyed 13 beautiful years in remission. In 2023 when the cancer returned, Toni lived out the rest of her life doing the things she loved most with her family.

Toni was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the age of 18 she moved across the country to pursue her dreams at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. During her time in New York she performed on many stages including several Off-Broadway shows. In 1982 Toni found Jesus and chose to devote her life to Him. She married her husband Mike on July 12th, 1986. They spent 40 years together.

She was not interested in following conventional norms or ways of living and instead followed her calling. She delivered 11 healthy children. She homeschooled all her children and thought of education as a space for free expression and creativity. Welcomed all people, especially kids, into her home and loved to see them inspired by music and a love for God.

Toni was a gifted musician and singer. She began with the acoustic guitar and learned the piano, drums, bass, ukulele, banjo, violin, and mandolin. She learned these instruments to teach her own kids and hundreds of others how to play. Music was her vehicle. Through music she was able to teach, encourage, inspire, and bring comfort. She brought music into nursing homes, schools, churches, living rooms, retreats, parks, workshops, anywhere she could bring her instruments. She had a love for the imperfect, the unpolished. She was often invited to put on special programs for churches, which she used as an opportunity to bring kids together and highlight their voices. She recognized the profound value of a child’s voice; the sound of children singing was the most beautiful music. Toni was an artist, an author, a creator.

As written in the book of James, she who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what she does. While facing death, Toni spent her last days loving and being loved by her family and friends. Praising God, reading and rereading the words from her favorite book, the Bible.

She is survived by her husband, Michael and her children: Chris, Jared, Carolyn, Nick, Jonathan, Emily, Liz, Grace, David, Anneliese, and Matthew. Along with her three grandchildren: Emeril, Reese, and Myles. Toni has touched countless people throughout her life who grieve her loss.

Please join us in her celebration of life on Saturday April 6th at 1:00 pm at Harvest Church, 4865 Sunset Blvd Lexington SC. In lieu of flowers please send any donations to an organization very close to her heart, Good News Club with Child Evangelism Fellowship. Checks can be made payable to CEF Columbia-Midlands District and mailed to PO Box 21003 Columbia, SC 29221.