Antoinette "Toni" Richardson

February 17, 1942 – September 27, 2024

Antoinette “Toni” I. Richardson, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 27, 2024, after a brave battle with stage 4 metastatic colon cancer. She was born on February 17, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, the only daughter of Edward and Frances Dziadosz. Toni grew up with four brothers: Edward Jr., Richard Sr., Frank Sr., and her younger brother Jimmy. Her brothers Edward Jr. and Frank Sr. have passed away, while Richard Sr. and Jimmy are still living. All of her brothers proudly served in the military, with each having three children—two sons and a daughter—except for Jimmy, who did not have children.

Toni married Joseph “Joe” Richardson, and together they welcomed their daughter, Victoria “Vicky” Richardson, into the world on January 26, 1966. Though Joe and Toni divorced when Vicky was still a toddler, Toni faced the challenges of single motherhood with courage and determination, raising Vicky on her own and becoming both her mother and best friend.

In 1994, Toni moved to Las Vegas to be near Vicky, who had relocated for her career as a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer. Toni soon began working at Nevada Orthopedic and Spine Center (NOSC), where she remained until her retirement in 2017. However, never one to sit idle, she went back to work part-time—not out of necessity, but to stay active and connected to people. Toni was not a homebody and cherished being around others, though she also enjoyed watching Law & Order, Survivor, and Big Brother religiously with Vicky.

Toni was a devoted grandmother to her two granddaughters, Jessica Charious (born July 31, 1989), who lives in Georgia with her wife, and Cheyanne Sierra (born February 7, 1997), who recently moved back into the family home with Vicky and Toni. Cheyanne, often referred to as the family’s “miracle baby,” held a special place in Toni’s heart.

A woman of great pride and generosity, Toni was never one to burden others with her troubles and remained fiercely independent until her health began to decline rapidly in July 2024, forcing her to stop working. Though she was stubborn and set in her ways, her generosity knew no bounds. She was a strong supporter of U.S. military veterans, law enforcement, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and various animal foundations. Those who knew her would often say, “If you had to be reincarnated, you’d want to come back as one of Toni’s dogs,” because she showered them with as much love as she did her friends and family.

Toni’s impact on the lives of those she touched was profound. She was a role model, mentor, and lifelong friend to many, particularly the women she worked with during her years at NOSC. Never one to complain, she lifted up everyone around her and made each person feel special. She had a remarkable memory for birthdays, always sending cards or calling to let people know how important they were to her.

In her final weeks, so many people came to visit Toni—not at her request, but because her daughter Vicky would remind her that the world would feel dimmer without her. Though Toni never sought to be the center of attention, she was truly loved by all who knew her, and her absence will be deeply felt by everyone whose lives she touched.

Toni is survived by her daughter, Vicky; her granddaughters, Jessica and Cheyanne; her brothers, Richard Sr. and Jimmy; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Frances Dziadosz, and her brothers, Edward Jr. and Frank Sr.

Services for Toni will be held at Palm Mortuary in downtown Las Vegas on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 3:00 pm, with a small reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Toni’s honor to St. Jude’s, a veterans’ charity, or an animal foundation of your choice.

Toni’s strength, generosity, and unwavering love will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. She was a one-of-a-kind woman who never forgot the importance of kindness and connection, leaving behind a legacy of love that will continue to shine brightly.