ANTONIA LYNN TILLINGHAST

ANTONIA LYNN TILLINGHAST, 81, passed away on September 12, 2022 in Riverside, California. She was born on April 27, 1941 in Billings, Montana to William and Mary (Dwyer) Jovick.

Antonia Tillinghast left this world to join her old friends and beloved family on September 12, 2022 at the age of 81.
Toni was born on April 27, 1941 in Billings, MT to William and Patricia (Dwyer) Jovick. She graduated from St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Riverside in 1959.  She attended business college after high  school and worked at the Riverside County Probation Department. On August 26, 1961, she married James Tillinghast. They raised four children, Virginia, Susan, James, and Marjorie.  She had one stillborn child whom she wished to be remembered.  

Toni loved big get-togethers with family and friends and would happily volunteer to make buckets of potato salad for the occasion. she loved good food, dancing, and a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream, a home-blended margarita, or a glass of Beringer White Zinfandel.  She could never pass up a stray animal and fostered dogs, cats, wild bunnies, turtles, and even a bucket full of tadpoles.  Toni loved to sew and her kids wore an untold number of made-at-home elastic-waisted pants, velour shirts with V-necks, and prom dresses.  She started bowling in the Tuesday Twisters league in 1978, and continued to participate in the league for the next 44 years. She never got great at it, often proudly earning the last place trophy at season's end.  She made up for the lack of skill by winning over the league with her laughter, friendship, and the perfect under-$20 annual bowling gift for the holiday exchange.  

Jim and Toni owned rental yards together for over thirty years.  They rented small and large equipment, and party supplies from tables and chairs, to tents and linens, across Riverside, Norco, and Corona.  Toni was always happy to help a friend in need with anything from tractors to teacups.Antonia is preceded in death by her parents, William and Patricia Jovick, and her brother, Brian Jovick. She is survived by her husband James Tillinghast, her children Ginny Fitzpatrick, Susie Sheppard, Jim Tillinghast, and Margie Williams, her grandchildren Catherine Thompson, Sean Fitzpatrick, Christine Fitzpatrick, Matthew Hopf, Jason Hopf, Michael Sheppard, Carrie Merwitz, Luke Williams, and Zoe Williams, and ten great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at Grimes-Akes Family Funeral Home, 500 West Seventh Street, Corona, CA 92882 on Monday, September 26, 2022 from 4-6 pm. 

A graveside service will be held at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park, 11500 Arlington Ave., Riverside, CA 92505 on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 12:30 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.

© copyright 2022 Akes Family Funeral Homes

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of ANTONIA LYNN TILLINGHAST, please visit our floral store.