Toni Leigh Dickinson

Toni Leigh Dickinson

Toni Leigh Dickinson went to heaven at the age of 58 years old. She was born in Seattle, Washington on 1-6-64.

On March 29, 2022, Toni was received by her loving Savior, and is now learning how to fly, which is easy to imagine because we all thought she was an undercover angel here on the earth. She passed into eternity after fighting cancer for five years. We are thankful she is in no longer in pain and that she is now experiencing the fullness of joy in the presence of Jesus. We who are left behind are shedding many tears because we miss her so much.

She is survived by her beloved husband Art Dickinson, son Richie Dickinson, grandson (little) Arthur Dickinson and his brother Troy Geary, mother Esther Hughes, sisters Tammy DeWitt and Lisa Garson, little brother Bill Pagaran, and many nephews and nieces.

From early childhood, Toni had a true and sincere compassion for others. Her mother recalls that even as a baby she was content and was easy to raise. She loved her mom and sisters greatly and expressed that love well. Tammy and Lisa were just a few years older than Toni, but she would always try to be a “big girl” just like them. In their early years, the three of them were like triplets, or twins with a cute little Tagalog. As she grew, so did her love for people. She was always encouraging others, hoping for the best, and doing things that proved it. She loved to laugh, loved to be with family, and served others as she served God. Her love for others was sincere, there wasn’t a phony bone in her body, and she never said an unkind word to or about anyone.

Even though she was gentle and loving with people, she was truly a rough-tough Alaskan chick. She was beautiful, slim and petite, and appeared to be delicate, but she could work almost any man under the table.

As soon as she was old enough, Toni married her teenage sweetheart, Art Dickinson, and faithfully made him her man for life. For forty years they enjoyed a love that will last forever.

They were blessed with their awesome son, Richie. Toni treasured Richie and raised him to excel in things that he loved to do, like MX racing, a sport in which he became a champion. Grandson little Arthur and Troy were also deeply loved and cared for by Toni.

Toni was the perfect helpmate to Art. They did everything together. Toni worked alongside Art outdoors, in their home, and with the family-owned business that they started themselves, Valley Machine/Alaska Parts Warehouse, an automotive machine shop. Toni gave it her all. Even in her toughest times in her battle against cancer, she was always loving, always kind and always thinking about others. Every breath she took, she took with the love of God. Many of us feel that she demonstrated the fruits of the spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 better than anyone.

Gal. 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Her warrior spirit in helping and blessing others was an inspiration to all. We are confident that when Toni entered the gates of heaven, Jesus said, “Well done good and faithful servant You have fought the good fight well. Come and enter your place of rest.”

We invite you to Toni’s celebration of life:

April 23, 2022 at 2pm

Legacy Funeral Home, Wasilla Heritage Chapel

1015 South Check St., Wasilla, AK 99654

Phone: (907) 373-3840

Cards and donations towards the memorial service are greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers the family’s wish is that you’d donate to: Carry the Cure, Inc. visit www.carrythecure.org