Phyllis M. (Barnard) Toniatti, formerly a long-time resident of Massachusetts Avenue in North Adams, passed peacefully into eternal life on Thursday, November 2, 2017, at the North Adams Commons Nursing Home where she was a resident for the last six years. Born in North Bennington, Vermont, on May 14, 1928, she was the daughter of the late William and Mildred Clark Barnard and sister of the late Marjorie Kenyon, Katherine Somerville, and William Barnard, Jr.
Phyllis was employed by Sprague Electric Company, North Adams, for 42 years before retiring in 1990. She loved baking, especially creating lovely wedding, anniversary, and birthday cakes and catering many parties for family and friends in her hometown. Phyllis loved knitting and crocheting, spending time with family, playing Bingo, and enjoyed many card games and mini vacations with her sisters. Her greatest legacy is the family she had with her late husband, Tulio Toniatti, whom she married on September 24, 1949. Together they raised six children; Daniel Toniatti (Gina) of Calabash, NC; Sandra Foster (Paul) of North Adams; Michael Toniatti (Tina) of North Adams; Joseph Toniatti of New Ashford; Paula Durwin (Joseph) of Canton, OH; and the late William Toniatti. In addition, she is survived by twelve grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, her sister, Shirley Lesniak of North Adams, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of Phyllis Toniatti will take place on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 11:00am at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday morning at the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home – WEST Chapel, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247 from 9:30-10:30am. Donations in her memory can be made to The American Diabetes Association in care of the funeral home. To add to the book of memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.