Antoinette "Toni" Morelli Burns enjoyed the challenge of hard work, reveled in the joy of preparing a classic Italian dinner for friends and family, and always took pride in her 10 years of service to her country in the Air Force. Toni was born June 9, 1956 and passed away on March 9, 2018. Toni is survived by her husband Joe Lee Burns and sister Christine Morelli. Her family and friends will sorely miss her love of life and passion she brought to everything she touched in this world.
Toni was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and grew up in Rome, New York, which is located in the north central part of the state. She attended Rome Catholic High School before being accepted to nationally-recognized Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She graduated in 1978 with honors from Vassar with a Bachelor of Science degree in micro-biology. Those who knew her work habits say she would fall asleep studying. She helped pay her way through college by waitressing in restaurants and bars.
After graduation, she decided to follow in her father's footsteps and joined the Air Force. She was trained as an air intercept controller and spent her military career serving in that capacity. While stationed in Homestead, Florida, in 1979, she met Joe Lee Burns at the Officer's Club, who was there for recurrent flying training on the F-15 fighter plane. They married in 1980 and were both stationed in Okinawa, Japan for four years. While there, Toni was assigned temporary duty in the Philippines and Korea. After their stint in Japan, the Burns were stationed in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where Toni continued her work in air intercept control and she ultimately earned Captain's rank. She thrived as an officer even though being a female officer at that time was not the norm. Because Joe Lee was the commander of his Fighter Squadron, Toni served as a leader in the Officers Wives Club. She deftly managed the duties of being an officer herself and the wife of an officer. Joe Lee recalls Toni's love for hosting parties for 50 officers and spouses or more. Her Italian culinary mastery was the center of attention for these gatherings. Both Toni and Joe Lee truly appreciated the brotherhood of these military heroes and loved entertaining them. Toni left the Air Force in 1989. Joe Lee retired from the Air Force in 1990.
Choosing San Antonio to make their home, Toni put her management and entrepreneurial skills to work in starting Golden Eagle Custom Homes. She sold the business after four years and launched a furniture consignment shop she called Better Homes and Bargains, which she successfully operated for seven years. Seeking to step back a bit from the nonstop grind of a retail store, Toni found a new mission in rescuing large dogs, which took her to all parts of South Texas, which she continued up until the time of her passing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Toni's memory to Las Lomas K9, P.O. Box 494, Floresville, TX 78114, www.dogsrus.org or to Paws Ranch, 865 S. Loop 1604 E,. San Antonio, TX 78264, www.pawsranchrescue.org.
Family and friends celebrate the energy and happiness Toni brought to life. A service honoring her memory will be held on April 4th, 2018 at 10 AM at St Matthew Catholic Church, 10703 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas, 78203. Military Honors will be rendered at 10 AM sharp. Toni will have a private Inurnment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at a later date.
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