Mrs. Toni Nixon

Editorial Department • Published 22 Jul 2010 16:00

A well-known and popular face in Fermanagh for many years, Toni Nixon, late of Felpham, Bognor Regis, has died in St. Richard's Hospital, Chichester, West Sussex. She passed away peacefully, following an illness, on May 25, 2010, surrounded by her husband, Ernest, daughters Martina and Kerry, and nephew John.

Toni was born in Bognor Regis on November 10, 1942, the only daughter of Cecil George Piper and Margaret Rebecca Piper. She spent her childhood years in Felpham in the family home, where she later returned to live in retirement (fulfilling an ambition) and remained there until her death.

Toni left Felpham, aged 15, and worked as a secretary and hotel receptionist in Dorking and Cambridge, before leaving to work in Canada and Australia where she held a variety of personal secretarial jobs.

She moved with her daughter, Martina, in 1969, to Northern Ireland, where she met Ernest. They married on May 3, 1975 and they had a daughter Kerry and son, Mark.

She worked for the Ministry of Defence, followed by the Western Health Trust until she retired aged 60.

Toni enjoyed many interests, including music and playing the guitar - a love she shared with her guitar friends. It was also a passion she shared with her son-in-law Paul and they enjoyed working through new pieces.

She was a keen golfer, enjoying the fun she shared with her friends at Bognor Golf Club and also at Castlehume Golf Club. Locally, she also enjoyed playing tennis in Enniskillen and badminton at Monea badminton club.

Another talent had been designing and making stained glass creations and she had been a keen gardener and home maker. Her family home served as the base for many wonderful family gatherings and every year, there were visits from her family and friends in Northern Ireland.

Toni was 48 when she first got breast cancer and she battled with it for nearly 20 years. She was cleared, but it returned four times and in the end cut her life short.

She was incredibly brave and never complained. Instead she took up every challenge which came her way. Toni enjoyed her life to the full, putting behind her the difficult times she had, especially the tragic loss of her beloved son Mark, aged 15.

She always put her family at the heart of everything she did and was very positive and kind. She was a wonderful wife and soul mate to Ernest, and to Martina, Kerry and Mark she was so much more than a mum. She adored her grandson, Daniel and she was more like a second mum to him.

Above all, she made her family and friends smile and laugh, and she has been described as 'a rock, an inspiration and a best friend to many and she will never be forgotten'.

Among the tributes and musical pieces at her recent funeral at Chichester Crematorium was one from her guitar friends. "Funny how the world goes round", lyrics and music by Toni Nixon, was played by Greg Nunes.

The widely attended burial of the ashes took place at Breandrum Cemetery, Enniskillen, where the service was held at the graveside of her son, Mark. (Last Saturday, July 17, 2010, would have been Mark's 29th birthday). Leading the proceedings locally was the Rev. Gareth Hayden and there were prayers and a tribute. Family and friends later joined for tea at Castlehume Golf Club.

Toni is survived by her husband, Ernest; daughter Martina and husband Paul; daughter Kerry and partner Richard; and by her grandson, Daniel. She also leaves the Dane and Nixon family circles in Fermanagh and her many friends. The immediate family extends thanks for the amazing support and kindness extended by everyone.

Donations towards St. Wilfrid's Hospice, Chichester, were being received by S.R. Elliott and Sons, Darling Street, Enniskillen, who looked after the local funeral arrangements.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 22 Jul 10

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