Verda Ann Toner

Verda Ann Toner passed away on May 30, 2019. She was 89 years of age. She succumbed peacefully to the results of a stroke, surrounded by her son Gary, sister Judith and niece Veena, in her home in Vancouver, WA.

Verda Ann Powell, was born February 19, 1930 at Aunt Bess's Nursing Home in Camas, WA, the second daughter of Ray Walter Powell & Irene Anna Keranen. Her father was a mechanic in Camas.

When Verda was about two years old, they moved to Portland on SE Lincoln. She started kindergarten at Franklin Primary School then transferred to Richmond Grade School then graduated from Franklin High School with her late sister Helen in 1947.

Verda's first job was at an ice cream store, followed by working as an aide in a nursing home where she was introduced to the medical profession. She attended Providence School of Nursing graduating in 1950. During her last year of training she was head nurse on a medical-surgical unit. After about a year she decided I to continue her education in Chico, CA. where she met & married Fred Hicks in 1952.

Fred worked for Montgomery Ward Co. in Chico, then in Red Bluff. On July 14, 1953 Tracy Ann was born. Fred's work had the family moving around some. In 1955 they moved to the Yuba City-Marysville area. Gary Wayne was born on October 3, 1956.

Fred was promoted to the MW Regional office in Phoenix, AZ and Verda was introduced to the game of bridge by a friend. Tracy had her first child, Carinsa, in 1972, followed by Isaac in 1977. In 1972, Verda's family moved again and bought the house in Vancouver, WA where she passed away.

Verda and Fred divorced in 1983, which accelerated her bridge game and resulted in her becoming an intermediate bridge teacher and a director of a novice game at the Eastside Bridge Club in Portland.

In 1994, some of Verda's friends decided to play cupid. And it worked! She married James Vincent Toner on August 24, 1994. He was the epitome of a wonderful husband.

In 2007 Jim was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and he passed on May 31, 2008. In 2007, Tracy was diagnosed with leukemia and she passed away within a matter of weeks.

When she wasn't playing bridge, Verda enjoyed doing needlepoint and cross stitch projects as it satisfied her creative side. She also enjoyed spending time with her son Gary and Jim's extended family.

Per her wishes, Verda will be cremated and her ashes will be placed with Jim's. A service is planned for 1pm, Friday, June 21, 2019 in the chapel at Rose City Funeral Home in Portland, OR.