Conesus/Rochester: Toni passed unexpectedly on June 21, 2019 at age 55. Predeceased by her father Irving Elderkin. She is survived by her mother Dorothy Elderkin and sister Constance Rice both of Conesus and her brother Curtis Perry of Rochester. Toni is also survived by many friends including her close family friend Bob Crystal.
Toni was a graduate of Nazareth College and worked for more than thirty years in Lighting Design for local and international stage productions.
Family and friends may call on Thursday, June 27th from 5-7pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 21 Big Tree Street, Rte 15 & 20a, Livonia, NY. Services and burial will be held privately at Union Cemetery, Livonia. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
September 14, 2021 Dear Toni,
It’s been over 2 years since you have been gone and life is just not the same with you not around. I miss you and your friendship meant so much to me. I feel a void dear Toni. You were so talented and had so much to offer and you were taken way to early. Your friend Mary Ann
I first met Toni when she was an undergrad student @ Nazareth College. She was a friend of my good buddy (and musical collaborator) Charles Lockwood. This was around the time when I was the technical director @ the Pyramid Arts center, where wound up working closely with Toni on a variety of projects; and when decided to leave Pyramid, I focused on preparing Toni to be my replacement. I then had the pleasure of observing Toni from afar as she bloomed into the technical tour de force that everyone who worked with her came to know. I was saddened that she had to leave us so early! She is sorely missed by many who loved and respected her.
I Googled Toni’s name, since I knew she was no longer on Facebook…and found this. Toni was my best friend through 4 years of high school at St. Agnes. I am so very sorry to find this out. Condolences to her family. She was the best.
A tragic loss for our entire theatre community. Rest in peace, old friend, you will be sorely missed.
I first met Toni in 1996 when she worked on A Christmas Carol. She was super quiet, but when you spoke with her she spoke back, first with this awesome nervous laugh, but then this storehouse of knowledge, of which no one could have ever expected. Through my tenure and then as a jobber at Geva, Toni displayed and shared so many sides of her artistic self. She was a painter, a carpenter, a musician, a lighting designer/artisan, to name a few. She loved to game, have fun, and joke around. She was very giving in that if you needed help in any way, she would be there to help, selflessly.
Toni wasn’t a rich person regarding money or possessions, but she was RICH as a person, and full of GOODNESS. She was kind and thoughtful. Yes she was quiet, but she was NOT a pushover by any means. She was a tough person when she needed to be. Toni was a quiet person who would seemingly appear out of nowhere. She was truly in touch with her “wolf” senses.
May Toni’s very BEAUTIFUL soul bring GOODNESS to all for eternity.
I’ve spent countless hours in a control booth with Toni, and every one of them was made better by her being there. Her positive attitude was infectious, and it was impossible not to smile when she was around.
I am going to miss you dearly, friend.
We have been friends forever it seems. She is and was a gentle spirit, wonderful friend, creative , talented and one of my “go-to” person. She will be missed more than can be known. A bright light has dimmed in our world for sure.
I met Toni through work as she was a frequent customer. Respected as a freelance designer, she was part of the extended Applied family and was a welcome regular at our Grilled Cheese Day customer appreciation events through the years. Toni always had a smile to greet you and was eager to learn and collaborate whenever she found herself unsure on how to proceed.
Toni’s creative lighting designs drew you in. They could be immersive without being distracting. She was always honing her craft. Countless souls have been touched by her presence and by her work. It was fitting that she worked doing something she loved, creating light.
Shine on Toni! You will be missed.
We love you, Toni’s family. We spent many hours visiting with her mom. She was so proud of Toni and all her hard work. We pray the Lords blessings of peace and comfort help you during this difficult time.
Love, the Buchanan’s
My heart is broken…You did so much to make RAPA great. We shall always remember your smile, your work ethic, and especially your patience. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Toni,
What wonderful memories we will always have of working with you on East Rochester’s High School production of Mamma Mia. Your expertise, wisdom, creativity, spirit, and calm leadership was so appreciated and will be remembered for many years by students and the directors team. We send our warmest thoughts and condolences to family & friends.
– From the 2019 ER Musical Cast, Crew, and Directors
Toni,
What wonderful memories we will always have of working with you on East Rochester’s High School production of Mamma Mia. Your expertise, wisdom, creativity, spirit, and calm leadership was so appreciated and will be remembered for many years by students and the directors team. We send our warmest thoughts and condolences to family & friends.
– From the ER Musical Cast, Crew, and Directors
Toni was always a special light when I had the opportunity to work with her here at Geva. Though that was awhile ago, this news hits her entire circle of acquaintances and colleagues so very hard. My thoughts are with her nearest family and friends.
Such a terrible shock for us all. She will be missed, her art, her love, her joy in theater will live on as we all hold her and her family in our hearts, our thoughts and prayers.
Toni, you can’t believe the shock and heartbreak of Avi, myself and everyone at the Panara Theatre felt when we heard of your passing.
I was so lucky to have known you and been able to work with you since I moved here 5 years ago. When PUSH was in our theatre for a show, you showed me how you were going to do the lights for them in our theatre. I was still learning the board and you showed me all the bells and whistles. The designs that you did my friend, were so beautiful and powerful yet simple and elegant.
I had to jump in and finish your design for the Deaf Refugee show and I just hope that I did it justice my friend.
You will be so missed Toni; I’m sure that you will make Heaven look absolutely amazing. Rest in beautiful peace my dear friend.
Our most sincerest sympathies. Toni was a dear sweet soul, very talented and it was an honor to know her. May she rest in peace and please know that we will miss her immensely. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family turning this most difficult time.
Your friends at Geva Theatre Center
My dear sweet friend . . .
I will always see your beautiful smile in my minds eye.
It gives me peace to know you are with the great spirits and joined them on the summer solstice. You are forever in my heart.
Peace be with you and your family and friends,
Love,
Ruth
I am very saddened to hear of this. Toni was a great friend! More than once she came to
my aid and worked long, late hours without ever complaining, always joyful and a pleasure to have on my team.
The theatre community in Rochester has lost a wonderful, talented woman.
Peace and love Toni…I will miss you.
I am heart broken. Toni was a dear friend and a wonderful artist. A caring soul, kind and supportive. We shared many interests and encouraged each other in our art. I am sending love and sympathy to all her family and many friends.
I am missing her with you…
Peace,
Martha Schermerhorn
DearDear My dear Toni, my best friend for all these years. I tried calling you and no response and you always called back. I was worried about you and remember our last conversation as you were recuperating at home and I know you didn’t like that and I couldn’t get a hold of you all weekend and then I really worried. I just found out about your passing on Friday June 21, and I’m in shock. I”m in a state of shock.
What will I do without my dearest most beloved best friend? I don’t know as I’m heartbroken. Who will I ask to help me fix the printer or computer or show me how to use that camera I got. I’m in shock right now and will miss that you won’t be able to see Jackson Browne with me as we planned we both loved music so much. Rest in peace my sweet friend. There are just non words as to what you meant to me. With love Mary Ann
My dearest Spirit sister Toni. You are now in all ways and always in the perfect circle of the Great Spirit. You were one with the Spirit and with all of us who knew you as the Treasure You Are while you journeyed Earth.
Thank you for taking and giving our souls and spirits to the great one and we will always be 2gather 4Ever
All love and joy in your freedom and happiness, your soul Spirit sister Margie!
Dearest Toni. We in the theatre community are pulling together to help each other through the loss of your special and rare soul. You are lived and missed by more people than anyone I have ever known. You have taught us so much about tech and have been a shining example of how to be a quality human being. Thank you for everything
Toni… although we had not seen each other for many years, I will remember you fondly and treasure the times we worked together at The Pyramid (now Rochester Contemporary). I’d like to extend my sincere condolences to your family & friends; whenever I see a light shining on a stage, I shall think of you!