Obituary of Toni Fay Mapes

TONI FAY MAPES Colonie- Toni Fay Mapes, 63, of Colonie, beloved wife of 42 ½ years of Steven J. Mapes, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on December 4, 2015 after a long illness and surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born in Albany on June 25, 1952, she was the daughter of Anthony F. and Fay (Brown) Levitto of Latham. She was a 1971 graduate of Shaker High School. Toni was very active in theatre. At Shaker High School, she played Carmine in The Pajama Game, Eve in The Diary of Adam and Eve (Principal's Cup Award), and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Later, she performed with Schenectady and Albany Civic Theatres, the Footlighters, Colonie Acting Troop, and The Latham Community Players in a variety of productions including Much Ado About Nothing, Our Hearts Were Young and Gay, The Perils of Pricilla, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Cactus Flower, Arsenic and Old Lace, and as Chava in the acclaimed Fiddler on the Roof with Triune Theatre. She was a member of the Niskayuna Reformed then Calvary United Methodist churches, where she enjoyed singing in the choirs and teaching Sunday school. Toni was a teller with Albany Savings Bank and a teller trainer/coordinator with Home Savings Bank before starting a family, of whom she was incredibly proud. She volunteered as Room Mother for her children's elementary school. She made every Halloween costume - a tradition her children continue. Toni opened her home and her heart to her friends and her children's friends, inviting them for a weekend or the holidays. Toni was happiest surrounded by family - both blood and chosen. In 1987, Toni was introduced to Shetland Sheepdogs with Belle Mont Wee Nip N Tucker, a sweet oversized sable with a prick ear on his "heel" side. In 1989, Toven Ebon Yankee (the wonder dog) brought Toni well into world of obedience, and a return to theatre where he played Sandy in several middle school productions of Annie. The following year, Toven Rainbohs in spring came into her life, launching the Toven Shetland Sheepdogs breeding program. Toni went on to breed numerous AKC and CKC Breed, Obedience, and Agility Champions. She was a member of Patroon Dog Training Club, Albany Obedience Club - as both a trainer and past treasurer, Albany Kennel Club, Troy Kennel Club, Mohawk Valley Kennel Club, Western Mass Shetland Sheepdog Club, Eastern NY Shetland Sheepdog Club, and the American Shetland Sheepdog Club. During her time with the AOC, Toni was a member of Canine Company, doing therapy dog visitations and demonstrations in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Toni became an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and a Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) certified Evaluator. In 1997, she began a Therapy Dog program at the Wildwood School, and in 2001 administered the first Therapy Dog test in Denmark. Toni was a mentor to numerous Sheltie "newbies," teaching the importance of structure as well as appearance; her mantra being that a pretty dog who can't move does nothing for the breed. Through Shelties, Toni collected family all over the United States, Canada, and western Europe. Her kind heart, selfless nature, infectious laughter, and smile-no-matter-what attitude touched the lives of everyone she met. In addition to her loving parents and her beloved husband, Toni Fay is survived by her cherished children: Erika (Thomas) Gelo and Jordan (Jennifer) Mapes; her adored grandchildren: Ossian Mapes, Julianna Tourageau, Adelaide Gelo, Melody Mapes and Luca Gelo, many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. She is predeceased by her brother: Timothy Levitto Relatives, friends and dogs are invited for a celebration of Toni Fay's life on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 12:00 noon at 397 Consaul Road, Schenectady following her burial at 10:00 a.m. in Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions in memory of Toni Fay can be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center for Research, PO Box 4486, Houston, TX 70210; gifts@mdanderson.org. (713)792-6161. For information, or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.