Toni Margaret Covell-Woo

Although she was born a few minutes after her identical twin sister (on January 18th, 1944) in Greenville, South Carolina, Toni Margaret Covell-Woo was one of a kind. She died on September 23rd, 2023 at her home in Auburn, Washington a little over a year after the death of her beloved partner of 30 years, Sheila Woo. 

Raised primarily in Southern California, Toni was a member of the first class (1961) to graduate -in a Rose Bowl ceremony- from the new campus of Pasadena High School. After graduating, she embarked on a months-long bicycle tour of Europe which turned out to be a highlight of her life. She subsequently attended The College of Idaho, Pasadena City College, and Lincoln Law School in San Francisco. 

Three of her enduring passionate interests were politics, gardening, and tennis- about all of which she held strong opinions. She was an avid fan of Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra, loved movies (especially Giant and West Side Story), the theater (especially Sondheim), reading (especially The New Yorker), spending time with her dogs and cats, going to the beach, and frequenting fancy restaurants. 

Brought up by a lawyer father and outspoken mother, she and her sisters were encouraged to express themselves - and were not shy about doing so. Toni held a number of jobs throughout her life - from owning a bookstore in San Francisco, to running a janitorial company in Portland, to flipping houses in various locations- and had her ups and downs over the years. Her solid work ethic and ability to "rise from the ashes" served her well, though, and she overcame a number of obstacles- including mental and physical illness. She loved to laugh and, although mercurial, was at heart a warm, loving, bright, and sensitive person. 

She was loved by many, and her dark wit and distinctive voice will be deeply missed. She is survived by her twin sister Susan Hodges (Donita Remington) of Highland, California, her younger sister Polly Covell (Woodbridge Marshall, Jr.) of Oakland, California, and her nephew, Jason Hodges (& family) of Bellingham, Washington - as well as a number of other relatives and friends. In addition to her wife, Sheila Woo, Toni was pre-deceased by her beloved parents, Clyde M. Covell and Marjorie Covell Sparks, and niece Jennifer Hodges. Her ashes were mingled with Sheila's and buried next to the Woo Family plot at Lake View Cemetery in Seattle and scattered in the ocean at her favorite beach in Carmel, California.  

"May you stay...forever young." 

Please share memories & sign the guestbook, located below. 

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Funeral Home ~ Lake View - Seattle, Washington