Mrs. Muriel “Tootsie” Tocheri passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the age of 82, with family at her side. Tootsie was born in Stanley on May 28, 1933. She was the 7th child of the late Howard and Jean Cook in a family of 8 girls.
Tootsie married her high school sweetheart, Guido, in 1953 and spent 62 beautiful years together enjoying family and life.
Tootsie had many interests and passions, some of which included cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, and ceramics. She was a true homemaker. She also loved to travel and was always ready to simply jump in the car and go anywhere. Over the years, Mom and Dad travelled extensively to destinations such as Hawaii, Florida, Nashville and Las Vegas. Many wonderful memories were created and stories were shared for years later.
Tootsie’s greatest joys in life, however, came from her years raising her family. She was a true “mom” to her 5 children, always present, supporting them and taking great pride in all of their accomplishments. She particularly enjoyed Sundays when everyone gathered and the house was noisy with children and later grandchildren.
Tootsie will always be remembered for her kind and gentle nature and her beautiful smile.
Tootsie will be greatly missed by her husband Guido, her children Cindy (Vesa Jarvela), Brian (Sandi), Susan Tocheri (Jamie Driver), Craig (Jolene), and Paul (Anna), 10 grandchildren, David Tribe, Kaitlyn Tribe (Vince Hache), Lindsay Jarvela (Sandy Poirier), Michael Jarvela, Erin Tocheri (Greg Flis), Lisa Tocheri, Braedon Tocheri, Julia Tocheri, Stephen Tocheri, and Georgia Tocheri. Tootsie is also survived by her sisters, Audrey Gunby, Vera Anderson, Lorena “Dooley” Brown (Frank) and Wilma Best, brother-in-law Ernie Baturniak as well as sister-in-law Maria Tocheri (Ron Shiomi) and brother-in-law Louis. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. She was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Jean Cook, sisters Evelyn Douglas, Iris Huruska and Edna “Bubby” Baturniak as well as her mother and father-in-law Louis and Santina Tocheri, brothers-in-law Mario Tocheri, Ron Anderson, Al Huruska, Ken Gunby and Stan Best and sisters-in-law Catherine Tocheri and Gail Tocheri.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the health care professionals at CCAC, St. Elizabeth’s Health Care and Grandview Lodge for their care and compassion over the past few years.
Funeral Mass for Muriel “Tootsie” Tocheri will be held at 12:10 pm on Friday January 15, 2016 at St. Agnes Church with Father Thomas Mullamangalam presiding. If friends so desire, donations can be made in Tootsie’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay or the Parkinson Society of Canada and would be appreciated.
In my mind I remember a face - one of beauty
One with rarely a frown
And almost always a smile
With Love Always from your Family
Muriel Tocheri will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017.
