Toni Hooper

It is with great sadness and love that family and friends of Thelda “Toni” Faye Hooper announce her passing on Saturday, 13 November 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada after a lengthy illness. She was surrounded by close friends and family in her last days.

Born, Thelda Faye Spitser in Rochelle, Illinois, she was preceded in death by her parents Charles Owen Spitser and Elaine “Rex” Carver; sister Sherry Spitser; and daughter Tani Lynn Hooper.

She is survived by her daughter, Dee Anna Castle; and son, Gary Owen Hooper; granddaughter, Leigh Anne Cook; great grandchildren Audrey Cook, Bree Cook, Felicity Cook and Dominic Brumfield; and her step grandchildren, Ethan Cook, Calvin and wife, Mariana Cook and their daughter, Elizabeth.

Toni had a long adventurous life and career. She was a trendsetter during her entire government career. She began her 39 year Civil Service Career at White Sands Missile Range, NM as a Clerk-Typist, GS-3. Eventually becoming the US Navy’s first female Superintendent of the maintenance shops and retired as a GM-14 from Navy Public Works Center, Norfolk where she received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

Her career in non-traditional roles began at the PWC San Francisco as an Administrative Officer, where she had great mentors and some that did not agree a “woman” should be in a public works job. Toni persevered and competed with some of those men to be selected for the Department Head position and a grade of GM -14.

Toni enjoyed working in non-traditional jobs and excelled sharing her extensive experience, mentored, and guided her workforce.

Toni was instrumental in establishing several chapters of the Federal Employee Women’s Association (FEW) where she chartered three Chapters in the Southern California area while working at Seal Beach Weapons Station, served as President of one and eventually was selected as the Regional Manager for National which included the Western States & HI.

While working at PWC Subic Bay, Philippines as a Superintendent Mount Pinatubo volcano erupted. Although most American families evacuated Toni and others remained to keep the base operational.

Toni’s adventurousness led her to obtaining her pilots license where she flew over the San Francisco Bay Area. She received her Diving Certification while working at Subic Bay and caught a 48 inch marlin that she had mounted and hung on her wall. After retiring Toni became a Certified Reiki Master as well as a Trauma Intervention Program Volunteer with the Las Vegas (TIP).

Toni’s long career enabled her to travel the world while working in New Mexico; Boulder, CO; Seal Beach, CA; PWC San Francisco/ Oakland, CA; Aurora, CO; NAVFAC San Diego, CA; PWC Subic Bay, Philippines; EFA Med Naples, IT; and PWC Norfolk, VA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmnorthwest.com for the Hooper family.