Antoinette Marie Ames

Family and friends will be gathering in a few days to celebrate the life of Antoinette Marie Ames, known more familiarly as “Toni.” Toni passed away of natural causes on Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, at the age of 88. She was being lovingly cared for by her daughter, Mary Johnston, in Ventura, California. Toni is survived by her daughter Sheila Joy LeRoy of Ventura, Patrick Roy Ames of Long Beach, Thomas Everett Ames of Temecula, and Paula Ann Ames-Axt of Ventura. Toni is also survived by eight grandchildren: Michael, Christopher, Sarah, Emily, Ericka, Scott, Tanner, and Alexis. Toni was predeceased by her husband of almost 50 years, Francis “Roy” Ames, who passed away January 21th, 1997, at the age of 75. Antoinette came into this life on June 16, 1924, the 8th child of Ursula Adjovnik and the only child of Anton Brachun. Toni was born in Brestanica, Slovenia, as was Ursula’s first child, Michael. The Kazola’s moved to the United States when Michael was an infant and went on to have six more children (Angela, Loe, Christina, Mary (who died as a toddler), Annie, and Justine). The entire family traveled back to Slovenia for a visit in the early 1920s, during which time Mr. Kazola died. Ursula met and married Anton Brachun, and Antoinette was born the following year. Shortly thereafter, Ursula and the older children moved back to Rock Springs, Wyoming. Anton and four-year-old Toni followed a few years later, after finally obtaining immigration papers. The Kazola/Brachun family owned and operated A1 Bakery in Rock Springs, where Toni worked during after school hours. After graduating from high school, Toni moved to Long Beach, California, to live with her sister, Justine. One of her classmates, Afton Wilcox, also moved to Long Beach. Afton married Carter “Johnny” Smith, and their family remained lifetime friends and family to Toni’s children. While living in Long Beach, Toni was hired at Susan’s Photography Studio, where she learned the trade and was instrumental in opening and managing a second location in Houston, Texas. Toni’s job history also includes working as a hostess at the first resort on the Las Vegas Strip, the El Rancho Hotel, and at the Chicken Pie Shop, an old landmark in Long Beach. After WWII ended, Toni met a returning soldier named Francis “Roy” Ames. They fell in love and were married on May 10th, 1947, in Long Beach. The following year, Sheila Joy was born. In perfect synchronicity, Roy and Toni created a child every two years, stopping at five children. Patrick was born in Long Beach, while Tom, Mary, and Paula were born in Lakewood, where the Ames’ purchased a home in 1951. The Ames’ were very active in their Catholic parish, St. Maria Goretti. All five children attended grammar school there, and the family social life revolved mainly around friends from church and school. Toni was a wonderful mother, wife, and grandmother. She always had a kind word and a smile to share with friends and strangers alike. Toni had a limitless supply of love in her heart. Her children, grandchildren, and many friends could always count on being on the receiving end of her love. She had a special gift of gab and a wonderful sense of humor. In her final weeks and months, Toni spoke often of joining her husband Roy in heaven.

Toni was loved by all whose lives she touched…