Sylvia Antoinette O'Donnell

Toni O'Donnell Obituary

Sylvia (Mathews) O'Donnell

March 29, 1950 - December 24, 2024

Sylvia Antoinette "Toni" O'Donnell passed away peacefully at the Glendoveer Senior Living in Portland, Ore. on December 24, 2024, at the age of 74. Toni had spent 4 years battling Lewy Body dementia

Toni was born in Ontario, Oregon, on March 29, 1950, to John and Mary Matthews. She was the youngest of 5 children. She spent her early years on the farm with her family in Ontario. She attended Ontario High School and graduated in 1968. She attended Columbia Christian College in Portland, Oregon, and graduated in 1970. Then, Toni went to Searcy, Arkansas, and attended Harding College. Toni graduated from Harding in 1972 with a degree in Education.

In January 1973, Toni started work as an Accounts Payable clerk at Cummins Oregon Diesel. It was there that she met her future husband, Tom. They were married on April 18, 1975. They were married for nearly 50 years before her passing. They adopted 3 Children from Calcutta, India. Neel in June of 1982, Leela in August of 1983 and Kavin in March of 1987. While married, Toni held the role of homemaker, and did it with passion, vigor, and love.

Toni was fully involved in the education of her children and all children. She was an intricate part of the PTA, the reading program at Harold Oliver Primary, where Neel and Kavin attended. Leela had physical limitations because of Cerebral Palsy and a hearing impairment. Toni was a formable advocate for Leela. She made certain that Leela had the education opportunities as any other student. Toni was involved in bible study for the children who attended Eastside Church of Christ, where she attended for almost 50 plus years. In 1991, Toni filled a vacancy with the Centennial School District and proudly served for 14 years until she stepped down in 2005.

Toni is survived by her brother John (Irene) Matthews, husband Tom O'Donnell, daughter Leela O'Donnell, sons Neel (Michelle) O'Donnell and Kavin O'Donnell, numerous nieces and nephews, 7 grandchildren (Amiya, Brittany, Zack, Sabrina, Oliver, Theo, Esther) and 2 great grandchildren (Fletcher and Maddison).

The family wishes to thank Glendoveer Senior Living for their care and support of Toni. A memorial service will be held in her honor at Eastside Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Columbia Christian Schools