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                  In Remembrance of Toni Richardson
                  ---------------------------------
                          by Mary Guerriero
 
As I write this, I am deeply saddened by our loss.  Saturday, March
24, Toni Richardson passed away.  She had emergency surgery the sixth
of February for a perforated gastric ulcer and was in ICU for many
weeks.  Toni had a history of asthma and heart disease which
complicated her recovery.  She had a number of surgeries in seven
weeks, and was so weak, she just didn't have the strength to recover.
 
Toni and I had talked different times about leaving your mark on this
world, and Toni certainly did.  Toni was a retired biochemist.  She
understood the properties of the various ingredients and she used her
expertise to experiment with and improve GF recipes.  In our group it
was Toni who first tried working with methylcellulose, and then later
Clear Gel, in bread and cake recipes.  Because of her efforts, many
people with celiac disease have a better quality of life.  We now are
able to make wonderful hamburger buns, pizza, pasta, and angel food
cake, to name just a few of her recipes.
 
Toni also took it upon herself to buy and test equipment for preparing
gluten-free foods.  She purchased two bread machines, two pasta
makers, and a heavy duty mixer.  She talked to me about buying the new
Red Star bread machine, to see how it worked.  I asked her why, since
she already had two other bread machines.  She simply said, "Why,
that's my job; that's what I do for the group."
 
Toni was so generous with everyone.  She was always the first one to
volunteer to bake for newly diagnosed people or if anyone was ill.
She nearly always brought samples of her latest recipes to the
meetings to share with the group.  I remember one meeting in which she
spent hours making pizza for the entire group.  She never complained
or asked for anything in return; for Toni it was enough to know she
was helping other celiacs live a better life.
 
She will be missed greatly by those of us who knew and loved her.  I
am sure Toni will be keeping an eye on all of us.  Hopefully, with
better education, people with celiac disease will be diagnosed at a
younger age and have a healthier and longer life due to people like
her.
 
We miss you, Toni.  It's said that absence makes the heart grow
fonder, and we were already so fond of you.  Thank you for all you
did.
 
                            -=-=-=-=-=-=-
 
   Where are you Toni?  Oh, I feel so alone.
   Can it really be that we're now on our own?
 
   You taught us that gluten-free could still taste great;
   And that celiac disease was not an awful fate.
 
   You always brought samples of your latest new treat
   And we'd eat and then marvel at the absence of wheat.
 
   You brought food for new celiacs, and those who were sick.
   You were always willing to share your latest new trick.
 
   You gave of yourself until you had no more to give;
   Then, when you realized you had not long to live,
 
   You slipped quietly away, without making a fuss.
   You simply said, "I'm sorry," for having to leave us.
 
   As if you should apologize!  Oh, Toni, it's true:
   We are the ones who should apologize to you!
 
   Too many times, when you wanted to speak,
   You heard, "Oh I'm so busy!  How about next week?"
 
   "Next week" seldom came; and now it never will.
   But I know that your presence remains with us still;
 
   For whenever the scent of fresh bread fills the air,
   I shall think of you; our chef extraordinaire.
                                           --Jim Lyles