VA - Phydele “Toni” Gourley Ehrlich passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia on December 13, 2015 at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge surrounded by family and friends. She was 101. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robin Gourley and her husband Kingston Ehrlich; and survived by her daughters Susan Smith of Charlottesville, Virginia and Robin Eastham of North Garden, Virginia; her three grandchildren, Kingston Smith, Alys Williams and Barret Smith and seven great grandchildren. Toni, as she preferred to be called, was born on September 9, 1914 to Lyle and Bernice Gourley in Highland Park, Illinois. She attended Deer- field-Shields (Highland Park High School) 1928-32, Stephens College in Missouri 1932-34 and the University of Wisconsin, Madison 1934-37. Following graduation with a degree in Dance, she taught Physical Education and Dance at Kemper Hall in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Toni married Kingston Ehrlich on March 25, 1940 in Racine, Wisconsin where King started the King Ehrlich Company. They lived in Petersburg, Virginia 1941-46 during World War II where King served as Lt. Colonel in the Army. After returning to Racine to raise their family, Toni was extremely involved in community activities including Girl Scouts, YWCA, PTA, Family Services, River Bend Nature Center, Junior League and Pony Club. She also volunteered with the Children’s Theatre, worked as a Sunday School teacher and was an active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority alumnae group. In 1997, Toni and her husband, King, moved to Charlottesville, Virginia. Toni was a beloved resident of Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge and a philanthropic supporter of the Charlottesville Senior Center. Both Toni and King were strong advocates and supporters of the Caledonia Conservancy in Racine, Wisconsin which preserves land for public equestrian and recreational trails, having donated more than 56 acres of land. In addition, Toni and King were staunch supporters of the DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Toni funded an elementary school and supported student educational programs in West African countries and was herself an international adventure traveler. She loved equestrian riding, sailing on Lake Michigan, fox hunting, dancing, reading, and nature walks. Toni’s humor and steadfast character have been a comforting, inspiring and joyous beacon in many peoples’ lives. She was relentlessly authentic, lived a vibrant life and always smiled with a twinkle in her eye, as seen in this 2015 Thanksgiving photo. Toni’s legacy is her devotion to her husband and family, her zest for life and her generous loving spirit. Memorial services officiated by the Reverend Travis DuPriest, former director of The DeKoven Center, will be held at a later date at both Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge in Charlottesville, Virginia and St. John's Chapel of The DeKoven Center in Racine. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send cards or notes to The Ehrlich Family including remembrances of Toni and how she has touched your life. Mail to Hill and Wood Funeral Home, 201 North First Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 or visit www.hillandwood.com. Toni Ehrlich memorial donations may be made to the following charities: The DeKoven Foundation, 600 21st Street, Racine, WI. 53402 The Caledonia Conservancy, P.O. Box 044714, Racine, WI 53404 www.caledoniaconservancy.org (Type Toni Ehrlich in the memo field) Charlottesville Senior Center, 1180 Pepsi Place, Charlottesville, VA 22901 www.seniorcenterinc.org (Click "online," type Toni Ehrlich in 2nd box) Condolences may be sent to the Ehrlich Family at www.hillandwood.com