Antoinette Toni A. Cali

Antoinette “Toni” Patti Cali, 81 went to be with her Lord on April 27, 2014. She was holding hands with her husband and praying when the Lord called her. Antoinette was born on November 18, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY to Carmelo and Angelina Patti. She lived and attended school in Brooklyn. She graduated from Sara J. Hale School of fashion design.

In October 1953 she met the love of her life, Salvatore Michael Cali, on a blind date. It was love at first site. They were married on June 27, 1954. Toni would say Michael wanted to elope after the third date, but she held out for a church wedding for their parents.

In November of 1955 Toni and Michael moved to Houston, Texas. They lived there until 1994 when they moved to The Woodlands, Texas.

Toni always had a smile for everyone, a sense of humor and everyone she met was her friend. She was always more concerned about others before herself.

Toni was a charter member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church. She belonged to the Altar Society, Women’s Guild, Northwest Deanery and served one term as President of the Altar Society. She participated in all the church activities, bazaar, fish fries, bingo, cleaning the altar, etc. She did Meals on Wheels for over 18 years and worked in the gift shop at St. Anthony’s Nursing Home. Toni enjoyed bowling and eating out with her “buddies”, auto and tour bus trips of the US and Canada, and a trip to Europe. She was also an excellent cook, especially in Italian food. She devoted her life to taking care of her loving husband and her family. Toni will be forever missed by her family and friends, but we will carry a part of her with us always. An angel has left this world for home in Heaven. Toni was preceded in death by her parents, sister Elaine Minardi and beloved mother-in-law Jennie Cali. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years Michael, her sisters Rosina Patti of NY, Sally Cirrone and husband Peter of Houston, sister in law Jean D. Morgan of Kansas, nieces Denise Stanger and husband Rex of Kansas, Donna Powell and husband James of Houston, Linda Lambert and husband Michael of Houston, nephews Donald Lynch of Houston, Peter Cirrone and wife Helen of Houston and many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Toni fought her battle with pancreatic cancer bravely and courageously until the end. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Toni’s name to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas or Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave N.Y., N.Y. 10065

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 5pm to 7pm, with a Rosary recited at 6pm at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands TX 77384. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Friday,

May 2, 2014 at 10am at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 26777 Glen Loch Dr., Spring, TX 77381. A private burial will be held at Houston National Cemetery.