Toni Sharp

Antonia Sharp, entrepreneur, philanthropist, accomplished artist and beloved friend and family member, died after a 2 1/2 year long battle with cancer on April 7, 2011 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Louis Petrik of Austin, Texas.

Toni was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 23, 1947 to the late Robert John Sharp, architect and Cora Pauline Knop Sharp, homemaker, teacher, and gardener, both formerly of Iowa. She lived in White Hall, Maryland through her childhood and school years, graduating from Hereford High School in 1965, and attending Philadelphia College of Art.

She was very successful pursuing a career in sales with Home Interiors in the D. C. area, and later Party Plants, which took her to Austin, Texas in 1976. After 10 years with Prentice-Hall lawbooks division, she started her own business, “Preserved Flowers,” preserving floral bouquets from weddings and other events. Her outgoing personality and generous nature assured her success. At the same time, she was working on a larger project, directing the design, construction, and management of “Villa Antonia,” a Tuscan style wedding venue in Jonestown, Texas, overlooking Lake Travis. After selling “Preserved Flowers,” she moved to Jonestown where she served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and member of the Jonestown Water board. She was instrumental in getting fluoride removed from that water supply, which she was passionate about. Toni was hugely charitable, offering her beautiful Villa Antonia to fundraisers for groups including Hill Country Singers, Lago Vista Players, Seton Auxiliary, Hill Country Community Ministries, Atmosphere of Heaven Healing Conferences, His Hand Extended homeless outreach (which she helped found) and many others. Trinity Anglican Church, formed recently, needed a home and was given the Chapel at the Villa. She also hosted charity benefits and church activities at the Villa.

Toni especially enjoyed expressing her artistic ability in watercolor, acrylic, and sculpture. She was passionate in learning everything she could about health and healing, and shared her knowledge, time, talent, and experience with everyone she came in contact with. Her outgoing personality and great sense of humor attracted many friends and she kept in touch with all of them, many of whom were at her side at the end of her life

She is survived by her mother, Pauline Knop Sharp (Mrs. Robert J.) formerly of White Hall, Maryland who resides near Austin; her aunt, Marilyn Knop Doyle (Mrs. Richard A.) of White Hall, Maryland and her descendants; her sister, Dallas Sharp Reeve (Mrs. J. Landon Reeve IV) of Woodbine, Maryland and her descendants; her daughter, Lynn Sharp Petrik (Mrs. Louis) and four granddaughters, Lauren, Nicole, Amanda, and Natalie; also descendants of her late aunt, Margaret Sharp Erickson, formerly of Forest City, Iowa.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 17, 3 pm, at Villa Antonia in Jonestown, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make donations in her name to Brentwood Christian School in Austin, Texas, via website, where her four grandchildren are richly blessed.