Flossie B. Tonda

Flossie B. Tonda Age 88, a resident of Lyon Township, passed away September 11, 2014. She was born January 30, 1926; daughter of Earl and Lily (nee Wiseman) Self. She was a 1944 graduate of Darlington High School in her hometown of Darlington, Indiana. Flossie was united in marriage to Tony Tonda on July 18, 1953 and they spent 31 loving years together until his death in 1985. Flossie was a homemaker who enjoyed baking for her family, especially Italian bread. She also enjoyed tending to her beautiful garden. Flossie and her family moved to the Plymouth-Canton area in 1969. She was very active at the First Congregational Church in Ypsilanti until 1968 and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth; church was where her dedication to helping others began. Flossie shared her interest in education by participating in school organizations. Her first district-wide involvement was as a representative on the school's district's Safety Committee. She eventually became president of this organization. Flossie fought to make her community safer; her first victory was the skywalk across Joy Road. Flossie's involvement went beyond just the school district. She was asked by the Canton Township Supervisor to serve on the Planning Commission. In 1974 she became President of the district Community Council and appointed to fill a vacancy on the School Board. She continued her involvement with her children's school, Campfire Girls, the Safety Committee, and the Canton Planning Commission. In 1976, Flossie was elected to the School Board. In this same year, she opened the school district clothing bank to help children and families. Other community involvement included President of the Canton County Festival, founder of the Canton Republican Club in 1980, and a very active participant with the Dion Nursing home recruiting volunteers in Wayne, Oakland, and Livingston counties. Flossie also served on the Canton Advisory Committee for Oakwood Hospital and served as President of the Wayne County School Board Association. In 1984 Flossie was named Woman of the Year for Canton. In 1994 the Flossie B. Tonda Elementary School opened in Canton; a small token of appreciation for all of her hard work and dedication. When she retired she moved to Sarasota, Florida, but her community involvement did not end; she was President of Oakwood Manor HOA, a volunteer for Hospice, Women's Exchange, and the Sarasota Opera House. She is survived by her daughters Tina (Mark) Servies and Toni (Frank Noverr) Tonda; her stepdaughter Pamela Tonda; her sisters Ginny (Don) Anglin and Donna Tonda; her grandchildren Tammy (Matthew) Trasky, Kurt (Tina) Servies, Tracy (Alex) MacDonald, Andrew Space, and Tyler Space; her great grandchildren Teagan, Grace, and Emma; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her twin sister Florence Floury, her brother Jack Self, and her sisters Dorothy Jahnke, Ada Pickering, and Catherine Self. A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 6:30pm at the Flossie B. Tonda Elementary School, 46501 Warren Road, Canton, Michigan 48187. A dear family friend Steve Lampi with Messiah Lutheran Church will officiate the service. Memorial contributions would be appreciated to Tonda Elementary, please make checks payable to PCCS - Tonda Memorial Fund.