Toba Kristal, age 91, passed away December 27th, 2022 at her home in Scottsdale, surrounded by family. Toba was born August 29th, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Nettie and Al Press. After a short time in Chicago the family moved to Ottawa, Illinois. It was in high school that Toba met her adored husband of 66 years, Stewart Kristal. Toba and Stew attended the Universities of Illinois and Wisconsin together where Toba earned her degree in Journalism. After graduation, Stewart’s required military service led the family to two years in Wertheim, Germany. While living in post-war Europe, they discovered their lifelong passion for travel.
In 1963 the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. There they opened their first pharmacy, Kristal Drugs, and eventually went into partnership with Lanny and Marlene Lahr in four more Kristal-Lahr Pharmacies. Toba and Stewart created their own Arizona family with the Lahrs, Howard and Roberta Aidem and David & Joan Frazer. This Arizona family celebrated all holidays and life events together and remain close to this day.
Toba and Stew truly loved to travel. They drove through many parts of Europe and traveled in Asia, the middle east and South America. Toba’s travel focus was always on the culinary. Long before the internet, Toba would spend months researching what to eat in each destination visited. Traveling with Toba was always a gastronomic adventure. She was also an avid and adventurous cook who would return home and cook from the cuisines she explored.
A lifelong voracious reader, Toba shared her love of reading with her children and grandchildren. She also spent years volunteering with the Navajo Elementary School Volunteer Reading Program for children with reading difficulties.
Toba lost her beloved Stewart in 2019. She is survived by her sister Phylis Palmer, her sister-in-law, Shari Press, loving children Scot Kristal, Steven Kristal, and Jill Kristal Feuerstein, their spouses, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She loved attending family events locally and around the world where her presence was enjoyed by young and old.
No description of Toba would be complete without mentioning her incredible sense of style and eye for fashion. She was a truly beautiful woman who always looked impeccable and made every day look effortless.
Toba will be terribly missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Hospice of the Valley which provided tremendous comfort and care in her final days. www.hov.org.
1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Arrangements have been entrusted to Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery. For information please visit, www.greenacresmortuary.net
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