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TONI Daymond was someone who threw all her energy into everything she did.
When she died on Tuesday afternoon after a short illness, Bathurst lost one of its most energetic, passionate and committed champions.
Toni will forever be remembered by those who grew up in the region for her role at Bathurst City Library where she worked from 1964 to 2001.
Generations of children, grown-up now, yesterday remembered Toni for her puppet shows and story times, as well as her commitment to the mobile book van which visited remote communities, bringing the joy of reading to those who might not otherwise have had access to books.
Library manager John Cumberford said he was constantly told by people in the community that they remember Toni from when they were little children.
“They tell me they were inspired by her to use the library, and her puppet shows were famous,” he said.
“She will be sadly missed by so many people.”
Toni will also have a special place in the hearts of the hundreds of debutantes and their partners from Bathurst and Oberon, who she trained in dance and etiquette ready to be presented at their debutante ball.
She was a life member of the Bathurst Highland Society, and had she been well enough, this would have been the 29th year she would have trained the young debutantes.
“This is a tremendous loss,” Lee Prendergast said yesterday. “Toni was a wonderful, wonderful member, full of ideas.
“She was always there whenever someone needed her.”
Shirley Campbell said Toni trained dozens of Oberon girls for the Masonic Debutante Ball.
“She was much admired for what she did. We’ll miss her all right,” she said.
For the past 10 years Toni had been a much-loved member of staff at the Seymour Centre, and manager Terisa Ashworth was devastated by her death.
“People loved her. She was so vibrant. I can’t say enough good things about her,” she said.
“She came in three days a week to organise activities. She loved dressing up in funny costumes. Toni was bright and lively and could always put on a happy face, no matter what else was happening.
“She gave a lot of pleasure to everyone who was involved with her. For a lot of our people she was like a member of the family.
“She was such a fun person and had time for everybody. She will be so very, very missed.”
Bathurst mayor Gary Rush said the city has lost a very generous and giving person.
“Council is truly grateful to have benefited from her dedicated years of service, and shares in the sadness of those who knew and loved her, and for those who hold a special place for her in their childhood memories,” he said.
Toni was born in Bathurst, the only child of Eileen and Harry Webster.
Her funeral service will take place at St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 30 at 11am.