Obituary
Toni Allen Gault Assael
September 8, 1946 – December 31, 2021
Toni Allen Gault Assael, born Toni Allen Gault on September 8, 1946 in Los Angeles, California, passed away of natural causes at 10:19 am on the morning of December 31, 2021, peacefully at her family home in Winter Park, Florida. Her beloved husband, Daniel Charles Assael, and her beloved daughter, Jessica Gault Assael Blackford, were by her side. She was seventy five years old.
Toni was the devoted and loving wife of Daniel Charles Assael, her husband of forty four years, the proud and loving mother of their daughter Jessica Gault Assael Blackford and their son-in-law James Edward Blackford, as well as, a proud, loving and absolutely delighted grandmother to their granddaughter Samantha Allen Blackford.
Toni admirably served her community as Treasurer of the Park Green Community Association in Winter Park, Florida for nearly three decades. She was a Co-Founder, Co-Owner and Principal of Assael Associates, Inc., a successful design studio in Winter Park, Florida.
She was widely loved and admired for her uncanny ability to bring out the best in people, as well as, her personal acts of friendship and charitable giving. She was steadfast in her devotion to her family, her friends, her country, and her spiritual beliefs.
Those who wish to share memories of Toni with others may choose to do so at baldwincremation.com/category/obituaries/
Those who wish to make a contribution in her honor to the Advent Health Cancer Institute may choose to do so at
https://www.adventhealth.com/foundation/adventhealth-foundation-central-florida/cancer-care
May God hold her in the palm of his hand.
My 'annual pilgrimage' to your home around our birthdays was something I looked forward to- in 2 hours, we'd cover so much that it would truly catch us off guard. A myriad of topics masterfully sewn into an exemplar quilt, replete with intuition. Such was the feeling every year- something money could never buy- it was priceless. The quality and depth of our conversations was nothing short of magic. It's as though we could finish one topic without finishing; and starting another, without ever starting. Our minds worked in unison- even when we disagreed- as we rapidly extrapolated outcomes and predictable behaviors.
I break down in tears as I write this... I feel I have lost someone so dear who could not only unlock my mind, but also my heart effortlessly. Thank you for our conversations and times together Mama Duo. I am amiss knowing that you are not around anymore. I will remember you very fondly and preserve your voices of support and love for the times ahead- through them, you live on. You walked with me, like with so many others. Your memories are cherished and adorned in never-ending gratitude. Watch over and pray for us in heaven. I look forward to being greeted by you again, Mama Duo. This time, not for a pilgrimage, but at my final destination. May I be rewarded with those magical conversations with you in the afterlife.
We know that no one is guaranteed tomorrow, but we always think there will be more time. Jim and I are saddened by Toni’s passing and wish there had been just one more visit, one more chance for Noni to hold Samantha. One last time to say goodbye. Rest In Peace dear friend.
She was the most extraordinary person that anyone could ever hope to share time on Earth with. We were together for forty four wonderful years.
She was a proud and loving mother to our daughter Jessica Gault Assael Blackford and our son-in-law James Edward Blackford, as well as, a proud, loving and absolutely delighted grandmother to our granddaughter Samantha Allen Blackford.
She faced her illness for more than a year with strength, optimism and hope, and she met her final days with courage and with grace. In her typical Toni-like way, her thoughts were often with our wellbeing rather than with her own.
She was strong yet tender, practical yet caring, frugal, and yet, more generous than anyone that I have ever known.
Through her goodness she literally saved peoples’ lives, made the lives of others possible, and touched many, many other lives in ways that one could only marvel at.
Toni, I love you with all of my heart, and I love you with all of my soul, and I love you with all of my being. I love you now as I have always loved you, and as I will always love you, from all of our first lives together from the beginning of time, to all of our future lives together in all of the time that there is yet to be, and in all of the time in the mystery of the great unknown.
Por ahora, ve con Dio mi Querida. Te amaré por siempre.
For now, go with God my love. I will love you forever.
May the road rise up to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
may the sun shine warm upon your face,
may the rains fall softly on your fields,
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.