Obituary of Antonia M. Brown

Antonia (Toni) M. Brown, age 95, of Cincinnati, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2025, surrounded by her family. Toni was born on February 5, 1930, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Frank and Mary Regan. She grew up in Waterbury and graduated in 1952 from The Teachers College of Connecticut (now Central Connecticut State University). She went on to become an elementary school teacher, dedicating the early part of her career to education. In 1959, she married Neil D. Brown of Batavia, New York. They began their family in Connecticut before relocating to Dayton, Ohio. While raising their children, Toni managed the household as Neil traveled extensively for work. She later pursued a long and rewarding career in retail, working for Mendelson and Leshner Mills Corporations. In her later years, Toni was blessed to have lived at Christian Village at Mt. Healthy, surrounded by friends and loving caregivers. She was a devout Catholic who followed Christ’s example of grace and kindness toward all. She cherished her time with her grandchildren, who, along with their friends, affectionately called her “Grandma Toni” or “Grandma Toni Hawk”. She had a deep love for dogs and a taste for anything sweet. Toni was preceded in death by her parents, husband Neil, brother Billy Regan, and son-in-law Grant Hodkinson. She is survived by her five children: Kathleen (John) Wright, Ann Hodkinson, Neil (Anne) Brown, Terry (Dave) Heath, and Susan (Shane) George; her grandchildren: Patrick and Andrew (Kayleigh) Wright, Rachel (Brianna) Heath-Brogan, Katy and Susie Heath, Michelle Hemela, Shane George, Ben and Jeremy (Gabi) Catania; great-grandchildren: Kelse, Juliana, Koleton, Keegan, Korbin, Liam, Vinny, Cooper, and Gracie; as well as nieces, nephews, her brother Dr. Frank (Gioia) Regan, and sister-in-law Barbara Regan. A visitation will be held at St. William Parish (4108 W. 8th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205) on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christian Village at Mt. Healthy (8097 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231).