Obituary of Toni Hart

HART, Toni (Vivian) Toni (Vivian) Hart's vibrant life on earth was stilled on May 14, 2016. She was a true renaissance woman-an educator, an astute businesswoman, a talented gardener and a musician. Toni taught piano, dance and singing and directed choral groups from high school boys' glee clubs to elementary school choruses. She loved teaching-all ages from first grade through seniors in high school-and the children she taught loved her. She taught for two decades at Lowell Smith School in the Tucson Unified School District. Her second graders learned not only normal lessons but creative skills like writing Japanese Haiku poetry. An art lover, she developed art and music programs for the whole school - and the children at Lowell Smith knew the difference between Van Gogh's and Pisarro's style of painting. She directed the all-school chorus that performed holiday concerts at schools and other venues. In the 1970's she created a primary school reading program called Reading is a Family Affair and presented at international reading conferences in Scotland, Australia and here in the U.S. The program resulted in her being awarded the Golden Bell award given by the state of Arizona to outstanding teachers and in her being made a member of the Governor's Conference on Reading. She trademarked Reading is a Family Affair but rather than profiting from it, she gave it to any school district that was interested which included schools from Hawaii to the east coast. Toni was generous not only in spirit, but in her actions. She collected school supplies for children on the Pascua-Yaqui reservation and she was the central collection place for Catalina United Methodist Women Circle One's long time support of South Tucson's families with clothing when there were fires and at Christmas. At Christmas Toni, her beloved sister, Tia, her dear husband, Hap and their family put together more than 200 Christmas baskets annually and delivered them to the fire department for families in need. Toni and Tia received an award from the Mayor of South Tucson for their efforts and the police and fire chief were so appreciative of these efforts that they often enjoyed tea at the Hart home during the Christmas season. Her cherished daughter and granddaughter, Johnna and Elizabeth Matthews, will miss her strength, her willingness to listen, her spiritual guidance and her infectious laugh. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway, Tucson. A luncheon reception will follow the service. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.