Toni Gordon
Toni Gordon, a dedicated nursing professional and lifelong advocate for education and
the arts, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, in St. Louis, MO. Born on April 25,
1941, in Chicago, IL, she was the eldest child of the late Anton and Edna Estelle (nee
Richardson) Schimka.
Raised in Des Plaines, IL, Toni began her career in healthcare upon graduating from the
Wesley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1962. Her commitment to professional
excellence led her to pursue further education later in life, culminating in a Bachelor of
Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, MO in1996. A dual major in Health Care and
Business Administration, she was recognized for her academic achievements as a
member of the Mortar Board senior honorary society.
Toni held numerous leadership roles in the medical field. She served as the Assistant
Manager of the SameDay Surgery Center at University Hospital and Clinics in Columbia,
MO, from 1985 to 1996. Upon relocating to St. Louis, she managed the Pain
Management and Cutaneous Surgery Centers at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. She
concluded her career as a Research Nurse Coordinator within the Division of Geriatrics
and Nutritional Sciences at Washington University, retiring in 2006.
In her retirement, Toni remained a vibrant member of the Central West End community
in St. Louis. She was a member of the Beaux Arts Council at the St. Louis Art Museum,
and she regularly tutored local schoolchildren in reading.
Toni is survived by her three children: Marc Leigh Gordon (Pamela), Jodi Lynn Stephens
(Gary), and Tracy Ann Rawlings (Andy); and ten grandchildren: Claire Kay Gordon, Helen
Lucille Gordon, Jane Ruth Gordon, George Kenmore Gordon, Claudia Paige Stephens,
Henry Thomas Stephens (Ana), Stella Elizabeth Stephens, Christian Theodore Rawlings
(Nicole), Olivia Virginia Rawlings, and Isabel Coulter Rawlings. She was also looking
forward to the birth of her first great-grandchild.
She is further survived by her sister, Patricia Ann Wood, her brother, Michael Anthony
Schimka (Alicia); three nephews: Brian Wood (Katherine), Jeffrey Wood (Jennifer), Tony
Schimka; one niece: Andrea Thier (Chris); seven grandnephews and two grandnieces.
In keeping with her wishes, no formal memorial service will be held. For those desiring
to honor her memory, the family suggests contributions to the St. Louis Art Museum in
recognition of her lifelong passion for the arts.
Those donations in honor of Toni can be made by following this link:
https://www.slam.org/membership/give-tribute/
Toni was my supervisor for a long time and Sameday surgery. She was great and loved my years working with her so sad to hear the news and what a wonderful family she had so many kids grandkids and great grandkids. It was awesome.
Marjorie Mangels
Toni was my friend and neighbor. I know that she will be missed by many
It’s difficult to believe that, Toni, such a powerful life force, is gone. She was a wonderful neighbor, friend and generous spirit in the world
Toni was a wonderful friend and neighbor. She was a kind and warm person, and will be deeply missed.
Sending our prayers and love to the entire Gordon and extended family. Nicole and Chris Albrecht.
We developed a profound fondness for Toni during our brief time living at Maison Lofts, and happily shared many dinners at Dressel’s with her. We’ll miss those fun times. We wish her Godspeed and send her family our deepest condolences.
Toni was a wonderful, caring friend who was so engaged in living life to its fullest. She will be deeply missed.
Linda and I were saddened to hear this news. Toni was a great friend and will be missed by all who knew her.
My condolences to all the Gordons/Schimkas great and small, near and far. I initially met Toni in a yoga class about two decades ago at STL WorkOut, after which we started talking about all & sundry . . . and continued to do so during innumerable post-yoga Kaffeeklatsches, as well as after–sometimes during–St. Louis Art Museum gallery talks and lectures until our very final cuppa together last fall at Northwest Coffee Roasting. Her gait at that point had obviously deteriorated yet her mind had not. Over the years, I particularly enjoyed lending my ear to Toni’s reminiscences of her and her family’s time in Germany and travels throughout Europe; their years in Astoria, Oregon; in Columbia, Missouri, and to so much more. Requiescat in pace, Antonietta cara mia.
John and I reminisced this week about the many good times we had with Toni and “the group” when we all lived in Columbia. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. We are glad to have called her a friend for 35+ years.
Toni and I met about 12 years ago when she was overseeing the Art Program at St. Louis Oasis, which inspired me to apply as a docent for the St. Louis Art Museum. Toni was very involved with the museum so I would see her there and at occasional lunches with our mutual friend Susan Toelle. She was a thoughtful and kind friend as others have mentioned. Susan and I will miss her and we are having dinner in her honor this evening.