Toni was born on December 19, 1944, in Detroit. She grew up and lived in Dearborn Hts. her entire life after she moved there with her siblings, Elaine and John, when their parents Anthony and Mary purchased a home there in 1956. After graduating from Riverside High School, she got a job with the brand-new City of Dearborn Heights as secretary to the Director of Public Works. Later, she was promoted to the role of office manager of the Water Department and finished out her 35-year career with the city in that position. During her time with the city, she met and married Jim Blackburn, and they had three sons: Michael, Brian, and Christopher. After their marriage Toni convinced Jim to buy the house down the street from her parents. A few years later, she convinced Jim's parents to buy the house two doors down from herself and Jim. The entire family were now neighbors.

During her career with the city, Toni worked on several political campaigns and met many influential people. About four years before she retired from the city, she started a part-time weekend job working at the local Kroger store in Garden City. After retiring from the city, she started working full-time at Kroger. For recreation, she was an avid bowler and, of course, secretary of the league. A few short years before retiring from the city, she also became a volunteer Probation Officer for the 20th District Court in Dearborn Heights. After retiring from the city she transferred to the 19th District Court in Dearborn, and finished her career as a Probation Officer at the 21st District Court in Garden City. Toni's lively presence while working at Kroger led to her becoming known as "The Kroger Lady" to regular customers. It was at Kroger where her benevolence really began to expand. When elderly people coming through her line were a few dollars short for their food, Toni would reach for her own credit card and pay the difference. She never expected repayment. She was, undoubtedly, the most generous person you could ever hope to meet.

Toni was proud of her Greek heritage, raising her sons in the Greek church—but she was even more proud to be an American. She gave generously to many charities, such as Boys Town, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans. She had a soft spot in her heart for her niece Christina, whom she mentored through difficult times and to great successes. It was a very special bond between Christina and her Thea.

Toni really glowed when each of her and Jim's boys got married—Michael and Kelly, Brian and Amy, and Christopher and Kelli—because she gained the daughters she never had. She knew they would all have families and that grandchildren would be abundant. Toni had very special feelings for her "daughters," again that special bond. Of all the titles Toni earned over the years, her very favorite was YIA-YIA. She relished in the thought of being with her grandchildren whenever possible. She lit up the room when they would come and visit. She cared for them all: Cameron, Lexi, Olivia, Morgan, Tiffany, Christina, Zachary, Nicolas, and Brett. When she babysat for them, they would often stay the night and sometimes even the weekend. They are her everything. YIA-YIA will be GREATLY missed.

Visitation Saturday 2-7pm and Sunday 12-7pm with a 6pm Trisagion Service at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd., Garden City, (Between Ford Rd. and Cherry Hill). In State Monday 9:30am until the 10:30am Funeral Mass at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 36375 Joy Rd., (east of Newburgh).

Memorials suggested to the American Heart Association.