Obituary for Antonina “Toni” (Chronowski) Hopping
Loving mother and grandmother, Antonina “Toni” B. (Chronowski) Hopping passed away peacefully on May 5, 2023 at the age of 90 surrounded by her loved ones in Ann Arbor,
Michigan.
Toni completed her Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from the University of Michigan graduating with high honors and later received a Master’s in Library Science from Wayne State University. She was a children’s librarian and book buyer for both Shelby Township Public Library and Birmingham Public Library during her career. Toni was passionate about encouraging children to read. She held raucous, fun story hours and puppet shows. She believed in opening the world of knowledge and information to children in a loving way.
She was an extensive world traveler with a thirst for adventure and embarked on a Rwanda Gorilla Safari and to the Great Wall of China before these destinations were open to many. Her day could not start until she finished the New York Times crossword puzzle, and even at 90, quickly completing a crossword puzzle was her favorite activity. Toni just had a unique perspective and a handle on history and trivia. She was a great conversationalist/debater and a mean scrabble player as her grandchildren will attest. She loved wordplay, games and reading.
As a family, we benefited tremendously from her quick wit and critical thinking. She never spoke down to children and honored them by acknowledging them as individuals. She encouraged and enjoyed indulging her grandchildren’s passions, especially in music and literature. Toni loved a good movie and trying new restaurants.
Toni was an excellent cook and literally never made a bad meal. A passion for cooking filtered to her children and grandchildren. She loved collecting cookbooks, travel guides, and gardening books. She was a Master Gardener and her beautiful yard was loved and enjoyed by all of her neighbors and friends. She believed in excellence in all things and appreciated natural beauty.
Toni leaves behind three children, Todd (Lynne) Hopping, Andy (Alicia) Hopping and Amy (William) Maier; her four grandchildren, Zachary Hopping, Alexandra Hopping, Hannah Masuga and John (Tia) Masuga. She also had a special relationship with Tom (Daryl) Masuga, who visited her regularly and indulged her taste for Wendy’s bacon burgers.
She was born in Detroit to Alois and Lucy Chronowski on August 31, 1932. Her only sister, Ellen Chronowski, preceded her in death.
The family will be having a private interment service at White Chapel in Troy, Michigan later in the summer.
Donations in Antonina Hopping’s name can be made to the Children’s Literacy Network of Ann Arbor.
Michigan.
Toni completed her Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from the University of Michigan graduating with high honors and later received a Master’s in Library Science from Wayne State University. She was a children’s librarian and book buyer for both Shelby Township Public Library and Birmingham Public Library during her career. Toni was passionate about encouraging children to read. She held raucous, fun story hours and puppet shows. She believed in opening the world of knowledge and information to children in a loving way.
She was an extensive world traveler with a thirst for adventure and embarked on a Rwanda Gorilla Safari and to the Great Wall of China before these destinations were open to many. Her day could not start until she finished the New York Times crossword puzzle, and even at 90, quickly completing a crossword puzzle was her favorite activity. Toni just had a unique perspective and a handle on history and trivia. She was a great conversationalist/debater and a mean scrabble player as her grandchildren will attest. She loved wordplay, games and reading.
As a family, we benefited tremendously from her quick wit and critical thinking. She never spoke down to children and honored them by acknowledging them as individuals. She encouraged and enjoyed indulging her grandchildren’s passions, especially in music and literature. Toni loved a good movie and trying new restaurants.
Toni was an excellent cook and literally never made a bad meal. A passion for cooking filtered to her children and grandchildren. She loved collecting cookbooks, travel guides, and gardening books. She was a Master Gardener and her beautiful yard was loved and enjoyed by all of her neighbors and friends. She believed in excellence in all things and appreciated natural beauty.
Toni leaves behind three children, Todd (Lynne) Hopping, Andy (Alicia) Hopping and Amy (William) Maier; her four grandchildren, Zachary Hopping, Alexandra Hopping, Hannah Masuga and John (Tia) Masuga. She also had a special relationship with Tom (Daryl) Masuga, who visited her regularly and indulged her taste for Wendy’s bacon burgers.
She was born in Detroit to Alois and Lucy Chronowski on August 31, 1932. Her only sister, Ellen Chronowski, preceded her in death.
The family will be having a private interment service at White Chapel in Troy, Michigan later in the summer.
Donations in Antonina Hopping’s name can be made to the Children’s Literacy Network of Ann Arbor.