Marjorie McAllister Toner

TONER, Marjorie McAllister of Palm Beach, Florida, born on June 26, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York, died on January 6, 2018 at Hospice, Good Samaritan Hospital, in the loving presence of her husband and as many of her extended family as possible. Marjorie was the second of Anthony and Marjorie McAllister’s eight children. She attended Bishop McDonnell High School, received a degree in Mathematics from the College of New Rochelle (’48), and obtained a Master’s Degree at Brooklyn College in Early Childhood Education. Marjorie enjoyed being a Kindergarten teacher at various New York City schools, and worked her way up to Supervisor, Assistant Director, then Director of the Bureau of Early Childhood for the Board of Education of the City of New York. During her term in that office, she instituted and implemented the Head Start, Follow Through, All Day Kindergarten, and Pre-K through Grade Two Programs, retiring in 1989. Marjorie was predeceased by her sister Eileen and brothers Anthony, Jr. and Donal. She is survived by her wonderful first boyfriend and treasured husband (married at age 74), John (Jack) Toner, by Jack’s daughter Ann Gervase (Richard) and Ann’s children. She is also survived by numerous adoring members of the McAllister family, including her sister Patrice, and brothers Brian (Rosemary), Bruce (Rebecca) and Michael (Patricia). She raised a village (her 5 younger brothers were her first class, and each frequently quoted the popular title “All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten”). She was a guiding light to 26 beloved nieces and nephews, all knowing they were her favorite. She created unique and treasured memories. Her ever widening circle of cousins and in-laws came to regard her as the heart and soul of our family. Many good friends have felt Marjorie’s steadfast love, kindness and good humor, ever accompanied by firm common sense. Marjorie always assumed we were better than we might believe ourselves to be, and thereby elevated us all. Her life’s body of work was us, and we are grateful. The wake will be from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 at QUATTLEBAUM FUNERAL, CREMATION &EVENT CENTER, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, 33417. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Edward’s Church, Palm Beach at 11AM, ON Thursday, Jan.11,2018 . In lieu of flowers, Marjorie’s favorites were The College of New Rochelle and Hope House Ministries, Port Jefferson, N.Y. Arrangements under the direction of Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, West Palm Beach, FL.