Antoinette D. “Toni” Tirabassi, 92, of Youngstown, NY, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2009 at Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Kenmore, NY. Born July 28, 1917 in New York City, NY, she was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Assunta (D’Andrea) Tirabassi.
Antoinette attended local schools, graduating from Niagara Falls High School in 1936. She then attended the University of Buffalo, graduating in September 1942 as a Registered Nurse, and was the recipient of the General Excellence Award from E. J. Meyer Memorial Hospital in Buffalo, NY. After working in public health for a short time in Buffalo, NY, Toni transferred to DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda and became a supervisor in the Obstetrical Department. While at DeGraff, she enlisted for three months as a registered nurse in the severe polio epidemic in Los Angeles. In the 1950’s she worked at the Los Angeles County Hospital nursing patients on respirators.
When her mother became ill, she left her job to return home to care for her. After nursing her back to health, Toni returned to nursing and worked for Dr. Frederick Niland, an oral surgeon in Niagara Falls. Antoinette also worked with her sister, Stella at the former Stella’s Tots to Teens in Niagara Falls, NY setting up window displays. Antoinette served as a volunteer at Veteran’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY, as well as visiting various area nursing homes. Toni studied art and particularly enjoyed painting and sketching. She also sewed many of her own clothes and often cared for sick neighbors and friends. In her earlier days, she volunteered at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine as a Eucharistic minister and became a sacristan.
Antoinette is survived by one brother, Alfred (late Carmella Baccelli) Tirabassi of Riverside, CA. She was predeceased by two brothers, Santo “Terry” (late Greta Snyder) Tirabassi, Benjamin (late Rose Bruno) Tirabassi; and two sisters, Philomena ‘Fannie’ (late John) Cicchetti, Sr. (late Laurino) D’Amico and Stella R. Tirabassi. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
Friends may call on Thursday from 3 – 8 PM at the M.J.COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY, where funeral services will begin on Friday, November 6th at 9:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Bernard’s Church, 218 Hinman Street, Youngstown, NY, with Msgr. J. Thomas Moran officiating. Entombment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Memorial donations may be made to St. Bernard’s Church, 218 Hinman Street, Youngstown, NY 14174, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston NY 14092, or Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.
Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for on-line guest register.
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